Tornado damages up to 50 buildings in northern German town

Emergency services in northern Germany say a tornado caused damage to around 50 buildings on Sunday evening.

The German Weather Service (DWD) confirmed to dpa on Monday that a tornado had swept through Glückstadt and the surrounding communities in the state of Schleswig-Holstein.

No one was injured, but the police said one person became mentally disturbed and required temporary care. The tornado caused particularly severe damage to an industrial area and a housing estate.

"We were alerted at around 7 pm," said Sven Thiessen, chief of the Glückstadt fire brigade. At its peak, he said, 120 emergency personnel were involved in the operation, which was concluded at around 2 am.

In Glückstadt alone, up to 25 buildings were damaged, said Thiessen. In one area emergency services found that numerous terraced houses had suffered severe roof damage. 

The affected residents were able to remain in their damaged homes.

The tornado also tore several garden sheds and garages from their foundations and hurled them onto neighbouring plots. "In some cases, individual parts were flung through the air for up to 100 metres," said the fire chief.

Damage to the overhead lines in the area caused severe disruption to rail services. The railway company reportedly diverted train services in good time and began repair work.