Free Republic

SAROMA, Hokkaido -- Nine people died and numerous others were injured here after their neighborhood was hit by a tornado on Tuesday afternoon, a local disaster management body said. At about 1:20 p.m., a tornado hit the eastern Hokkaido town of Saroma and destroyed several pre-fabricated structures used by construction workers at a tunnel construction site, according to the disaster management body in the Engaru district. At least nine people died and numerous others are believed to have been injured. (Mainichi) The tornado destroys houses in Saroma, Hokkaido, on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of a reader)