Rare tornado hits Haiti, injuring more than 50 people and leaving hundreds homeless

SAN JUAN (AP):

A rare tornado in northern Haiti has injured more than 50 people and destroyed more than 200 homes, the UN said on Wednesday.

The tornado hit the community of Bassin-Bleu on Tuesday, leaving more than 300 families homeless, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The office noted that at least 10 people are seriously injured, with local media reporting they were hospitalised.

The office said Haiti’s civil protection agency and the Red Cross were the first responders and are evaluating the damage.

The civil protection agency said heavy rain is expected for most of Haiti, including the area hit by the tornado, warning of possible flooding and landslides.