10 hurt in Cyprus as gales, tornados and heavy rain hit

[senorpepr]

NICOSIA (AFP) - At least 10 people were injured as Cyprus was battered by gale-force winds, tornados and flash floods, authorities said.

Among them, state radio reported, four tourists and two Cypriot women were injured in separate incidents involving uprooted trees hitting cars and a shop during.

The injuries were not thought to be serious.

Tornados touched down on the southern coastal towns of Larnaca and Paphos, while 140-kilometre-per-hour (87-mile-an-hour) winds were recorded.

Police said they have to yet calculate the full extent of the damage and the number of injuries.

The strong winds have also caused power cuts, road closures and destruction to property and crops. Some phone lines were also down.

Police reported roofs blown off homes, felled trees and flooding on major roads.

Emergency services said they had received scores of calls to assist trapped motorists and pump out water from flooded property.

Meteorlolgists predict the heavy rains and strong will continue, accompanied by a cold snap that could even bring fairly rare snowfall to low-lying areas.