Tornado kills 8 in western Hainan

Eight people were killed when a sudden tornado hit Nada town of Danzhou, western Hainan province, at about 4 am on Thursday, according to the Hainan Emergency Management Department and publicity officials with the local Danzhou authorities.

The tornado struck the intersection of Zhongxing Street and Industrial Road in Nada town, at a maximum wind power of 16.6 degrees (about 59 meters/per second), causing the collapse of workers' dormitories at two construction sites. Eight people have been confirmed dead, one was seriously hurt and another slightly injured.

Leaders from relevant Hainan provincial government departments and a working group dispatched by the Hainan Emergency Management Department have rushed to the scene. Rescue work is still continuing.