This is the dramatic moment Spain’s crazy summer weather takes another twist as a tornado sweeps away tables and chairs at cafe terraces and reduces visibility to near zero.
Overnight footage emerged of a tornado that swept through Librilla less than an hour’s drive inland from La Manga in Murcia.
Locals can be heard screaming as the tornado wreaked havoc, blocking traffic as wheelie bins and pieces of outdoor furniture were lurched into the roads.
It comes after the ‘Satan’s Storm’ hit the Costa Tropical south of Granada on Sunday, forcing holidaymakers and locals to evacuate beaches in resorts like Motril east of Malaga and leading to seven emergency rescues.
Two tornadoes and waterspouts formed during the rare heat burst as the temperature rose rapidly to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8°C) and winds reached 53mph.
The freak weather forced the town hall to cancel a BBQ event organised as part of its annual summer festival because of the fire risk if it went ahead.
Local police said the high winds were carrying away embers that could cause wildfires.
A woman was filmed holding a giant bar terrace parasol as the tornado swept away chairs and street rubbish containers behind her – before a sudden stronger gust of wind moved her and the sunshade she was gripping and she had to let go as tables nearby smashed into her.
The area where the BBQ had been organised was turned into a dustbowl.
An electricity pylon was also snapped in half and brought down by the force of the wind.
Local police said in a statement: ‘A tornado has carried away sunshades, chairs and tables at bars as it swept through Librilla.
‘The town hall has had to cancel its ‘Night of Migas’ BBQ event because of the fire risk as the tornado carried away tables and chairs people had put out and even embers.
‘Our officers and Civil Protection workers are still dealing with incidents involving fallen trees and lampposts.’
The freak weather event came as Spanish emergency responders continued to battle 21 wildfires in different areas of the country that have led to the evacuation of more than 33,000 people, especially in the regions of Galicia, Castilla and Leon and Extremadura.
Authorities say 33 people have been arrested since June 1 on suspicion of arson. Four people have died so far as a result of the wildfires.
Many areas have registered record temperatures, with the thermometer in the city of Jerez de la Frontera in south-west Spain marking an astonishing 45,8 degrees Celsisus (114.4 degrees Fahrenheit) at 2.30pm on Sunday.
This marks the country’s most devastating wildfire season since records began, with more than 1,100 deaths linked to the recent heatwave that has fuelled the blaze.
Some 373,000 hectares have been scorched as of 7am Tuesday, according to the European Forest Fire Information System – an area twice the size of London.
Weather agency Aemet has now confirmed the 16-day heatwave Spain has suffered, the third-longest on record, is now over.
Continuing with Spain’s crazy summer climate, torrential rain and storms are being predicted today for places like Majorca.
Aemet has activated an orange alert for parts of the holiday island, including the resort of Magaluf.
