A tornado has struck an area in the north of Paris, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
The area of Val d'Oise, near the French capital, was hit by the phenomenon, ripping through the region.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed the news, announcing the death, adding that there is extensive damage caused by the natural disaster.
Mr Nunez wrote on X: "A sudden and rare intensity tornado episode struck several municipalities in the Val d'Oise, causing the death of one person and seriously injuring several others.
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"I am following the situation closely and express my support to the elected officials, the rescuers on site, and the affected residents.
"I extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased victim."
A violent storm has struck the region throughout today, with at least three cranes being blown over by the force of the winds.
One crane fell on the Clos-Fleuri Medical-Educational Institute in Ermont, Val-d'Oise.
Footage shows cranes being blown over in the storm
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The violent storm, which formed the tornado, hit the Val-d'Oise region this evening, with severe gusts causing significant damage in Eaubonne, Franconville, and Ermont.
The Gambetta district and Henry-Dunant Street were hit very hard.
Montmorency, Margency, Andilly, and Cormeilles-en-Parisis were affected by the gusts too.
The Val-d'Oise prefecture said: "This is a serious climatic event. Very strong gusts of wind that were not forecast."
A departmental operations centre has been opened up, and a crisis unit is bringing together the fire brigade, emergency medical services, police, gendarmerie and the departmental council's roads department.
One resident in the area, Elisabeth, explained how she was nearly home when the storm hit.
She said: "On the way back, near Ermont town hall, the sky suddenly turned grey.
"It was stormy. And suddenly, I saw an impressive tornado of leaves, and a storm of rain fell on my car. I couldn’t see anything; it was as if a wave was crashing down on me.
One local said: 'It was stormy. And suddenly, I saw an impressive tornado of leaves, and a storm of rain fell on my car'
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"The car was shaking. I stopped because I was afraid of being pushed to the side."
Power outage has been reported in Ermont and Cormeilles-en-Parisi, with a crisis unit set up by mayor Marie-José Beaulande in Eaubonne.
Roofs have been blown off in other districts, with Mayor of Margency Thierry Brun saying: "The storm was swift but very violent.
"We called the municipal services to make the streets safer and prevent further accidents."
There is transport disruption across the entire region with trees falling on several major motorways.
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