Severe storms caused extensive damage overnight across parts of Germany, leaving one woman dead and at least two other people injured, according to reports.
In Waldorf, in the southwestern state of Rhineland-Palatinate, a falling tree struck and killed a 58-year-old woman, while a 47-year-old woman was seriously injured. The two were walking together when the storm hit and sought shelter under a covered seating area. A tree was uprooted and fell onto the area, striking both women. The 58-year-old died at the scene, a police spokesperson said.
A tornado struck the town of Fürstenwalde, 78 kilometers (49 miles) southeast of Berlin. Roofs were torn off, several cars were damaged by falling trees, and one person was injured. In Höhr-Grenzhausen in the Westerwald district in western Germany, the storm tore walls from buildings, affecting at least two homes. Falling debris and uprooted trees caused additional damage. A widespread power outage hit the area, and strong winds overturned a truck on the A61 highway.
There were numerous weather-related emergency calls overnight in Hesse, Thuringia, and Bavaria. In Kronach, Bavaria, a village festival was partially evacuated, with about 3,500 guests forced to leave the outdoor area and continue celebrating inside beer halls. In Wetzlar, Hesse, the storm damaged about 60 houses, with some roofing pieces blown as far as 100 meters (110 yards) away.
The German Weather Service warned that further severe storms could occur later in the day, particularly in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria in southern Germany.