~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

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Tornado hits central Vietnam, injuring 21 and damaging hundreds of houses

HANOI - A strong tornado swept through three mountainous villages in central Vietnam, injuring 21 people and damaging hundreds of homes, an official said Sunday. The tornado struck Saturday, collapsing 13 houses and leaving 400 without roofs. It also knocked down tens of trees and electrical poles, said Phan Duc Tinh, vice chairman of Dai Loc District in Quang Nam province. Quang Nam is 820 kilometers (525 miles) southeast of Hanoi.

"This area is prone to natural disasters including tornadoes, but this was the strongest one we have ever seen,'' Tinh said. Hundreds of soldiers have been mobilized to help clean up the area and rebuild homes for the villagers, Tinh said. Last year, natural disasters in Vietnam killed at least 500 people, injured nearly 3,000, and caused nearly US$1.17 billion (euro860 million) in damage.

The Associated Press - April 15, 2007.