What caused the tornado in Spain's Costa Tropical?

The tornado was part of a rare heat burst that saw temperatures soar to over 100°F (37.8°C) and winds reach 53 mph, fueling the extreme weather event.

How many people have been evacuated due to the wildfires in Spain?

Over 33,000 people have been evacuated due to the 21 active wildfires raging across Spain, particularly in the regions of Galicia, Castilla and Leon, and Extremadura.

What is the Camino de Santiago, and how has it been affected by the wildfires?

The Camino de Santiago is a world-famous pilgrims' route that leads to the Galician town of Santiago de Compostela. The heat and dried-out land have fueled wildfires that have destroyed 115,000 hectares, forcing the closure of this iconic route.

Home / Weather / Tornado Chaos Sweeps Through Spain's Costa Tropical

Tornado Chaos Sweeps Through Spain's Costa Tropical

20 Aug

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Summary

Tornado strikes cafe terraces, forcing evacuations
Rare heat burst fuels wildfires, leading to 33 arrests
Over 33,000 people evacuated due to 21 active wildfires

Tornado Chaos Sweeps Through Spain's Costa Tropical

On August 20, 2025, a powerful tornado struck the Costa Tropical region of southern Spain, causing chaos and destruction. The tornado swept away tables, chairs, and other items from cafe terraces, reducing visibility to near-zero. Authorities were forced to evacuate holidaymakers and locals from beaches in resorts like Motril, leading to seven emergency rescues.

The freak weather event was part of a broader heatwave that has gripped Spain, with temperatures soaring to over 100°F (37.8°C) and winds reaching 53 mph. This rare heat burst has fueled a devastating wildfire season, with 21 active blazes across the country that have led to the evacuation of more than 33,000 people, particularly in the regions of Galicia, Castilla and Leon, and Extremadura. Authorities have arrested 33 people on suspicion of arson since June 1, and four people have died as a result of the wildfires.

The tornado also forced the cancellation of a BBQ event in the town of Librilla, as the high winds were carrying away embers that could have sparked further fires. An electricity pylon was also snapped in half by the tornado's force.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.