F3 Tornado Devastates Rio Bonito do Iguaçu in Paraná, Leaving Six Dead and Hundreds Injured
An F3 tornado severely damaged Rio Bonito do Iguaçu in Paraná, killing six and injuring hundreds, prompting emergency declarations and federal aid deployment.
- • An F3 tornado hit Rio Bonito do Iguaçu with winds up to 250 km/h, devastating up to 90% of the town.
- • Six people died, two are missing, and over 430 were injured, with several in serious condition.
- • Governor Ratinho Junior declared a state of public calamity and allocated R$50 million for emergency response.
- • Federal government deployed humanitarian teams and coordinated with local officials for aid and reconstruction.
Key details
On the night of November 7, 2025, an F3 tornado with wind speeds reaching up to 250 km/h struck Rio Bonito do Iguaçu in Paraná, causing catastrophic damage across the municipality. Approximately 80 to 90% of the urban area was destroyed, including residences, businesses, silos, and gas stations, with many structures suffering total roof loss or collapse. The tornado resulted in six confirmed fatalities and left two people missing, while around 432 to 437 individuals sustained injuries, with at least nine critically wounded.
The local hospital in Laranjeiras do Sul was overwhelmed, treating over 200 patients, including nine with severe injuries requiring surgery. Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior promptly declared a state of public calamity in response to the disaster. This decree enables the mobilization of emergency resources and streamlines the request for federal aid. The state has allocated R$50 million from its Disaster Fund to support emergency operations and reconstruction efforts.
The governor has been personally overseeing rescue and recovery activities, coordinating with Civil Defense and firefighting teams. Emergency services continue search and rescue operations amidst descriptions of the site as a "war zone." The situation also led to the suspension of the November 9 Enem exams for affected residents.
The federal government, under President Lula's direction and through the efforts of Minister of Integration and Regional Development Waldez Góes, is actively coordinating humanitarian aid. Teams have been deployed to assist municipalities in Paraná, and the government is working closely with local mayors to declare states of emergency and facilitate reconstruction. Minister Gleisi Hoffmann expressed solidarity with the victims and emphasized the need for unity in recovery efforts.
This event marks one of the most severe tornado impacts in Paraná in recent decades, underscoring the urgency of coordinated response and long-term rebuilding initiatives.