MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

No fatalities reported as tornado hits southern Chile

President Boric confirmed that 8 people were injured

An EF-1 tornado with winds between 138 and 187 km/h Sunday struck Puerto Varas in southern Chile, about 1,000 km south of Santiago, injuring eight people, none critically, and damaging approximately 150–250 homes, with significant impact on roofs, trees, power poles, and vehicles.

Over 12,500 people lost electricity, and six individuals were relocated to shelters. The Chilean Meteorological Service attributed the tornado to a cold frontal system. Authorities, including President Gabriel Boric Font, reported no fatalities and deployed regional teams to assist with recovery, including debris removal and damage assessments.

| URGENTE: Un devastador tornado golpeó Puerto Varas, Chile, dejando daños estructurales. pic.twitter.com/kCwZKpdz3O

— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) May 25, 2025

A red alert was declared, and classes were suspended on Monday in the affected tourist town. Videos on social media captured the tornado sweeping through streets, lifting debris, and damaging infrastructure.

“So far we have eight injured. No one has died or is at vital risk,” Puerto Varas Mayor Tomás Gárate explained. He also noted that some 150 homes were affected. “What just happened was impressive. We had not experienced anything like this in our commune. There are many damages to houses, buildings, power lines”. “We do not know of any deaths. Yes, we did report some injured people who are being referred to our emergency health team,” he added.

Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) said that six people had to be taken to shelters due to the destruction of their homes and that more than 12,500 people are without electricity due to the tornado. “The injured were taken to a local health care center, while the sheltered people are in the commune's gymnasium,” Senapred said in its latest report.

“All regional authorities deployed in Puerto Varas by [an] unprecedented tornado. Fortunately, there is no loss of life to regret, but 8 injured people have already been treated. As of tomorrow, the FIBE form will begin to be applied for affected homes, and different state agencies will be collaborating in the removal of debris,” Boric posted on X.

“We have two injured people, who have already been treated in health centers,” Senapred Director Alicia Cebrián López said. “The information on further damage is being gathered on the ground by municipal teams, and we will be informing you promptly,” she also told Emol.