Deadly Tornado Devastates Ermont, Val d’Oise, Leaving One Dead and Several Injured

A tornado struck Ermont in Val d’Oise, killing one and injuring nine, causing widespread damage and shock among residents.

    Key details

  • • A tornado hit Ermont on October 20, causing one death and nine injuries.
  • • Three construction cranes collapsed, damaging buildings including a children's center.
  • • Local residents experienced fear and shock during the tornado.
  • • Emergency services responded quickly, aiding victims and starting cleanup efforts.

A violent tornado struck the town of Ermont in Val d’Oise on Monday evening, October 20, 2025, causing extensive destruction and claiming the life of a 23-year-old construction worker. The tornado, which hit around 5 to 5:45 PM, uprooted cranes at a nearby construction site, with one crane crashing onto the roof of a residential building and another falling on Le Clos Fleuri, a center for disabled children. Tragically, this devastation resulted in the death of one worker and left nine others injured, including four in serious condition.

Residents of Ermont, a community of approximately 30,000 located about 20 to 21 kilometers from Paris, shared their shock and fear as they witnessed the storm’s impact firsthand. Eyewitnesses like Inès recounted fleeing for shelter with her young son as the tornado approached, while others described scenes of chaos and destruction including shattered windows and debris scattered across the streets. Emergency services rushed to the area to assess damage, assist victims, and rescue pets trapped in damaged homes.

In the aftermath, Ermont’s community began cleanup efforts early the following day amid a somber atmosphere. Local residents gathered at the scene, visibly distressed and seeking information from authorities and insurance experts about the situation. Firefighters were seen actively assessing structural damage and aiding those affected.

This rare and deadly tornado in the Val d’Oise region has left a profound impact on the town, highlighting the vulnerability of even well-established communities to sudden natural disasters. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with local officials and emergency teams continuing to respond to the unfolding situation.

This article was translated and synthesized from French sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.

Source comparison

Time of tornado strike

Sources disagree on the time the tornado struck Ermont.

liberation.fr

"The tornado struck Ermont on Tuesday afternoon, around 5 PM."

lefigaro.fr

"The tornado struck in Ermont at around 5:45 PM."

Why this matters: The first source states the tornado hit around 5 PM, while the second source claims it struck at 5:45 PM. This discrepancy in timing could affect the understanding of the sequence of events and the response to the tornado.

Date of the tornado

Sources disagree on the day the tornado occurred.

liberation.fr

"The tornado struck Ermont on Tuesday."

lefigaro.fr

"The tornado struck on Monday evening."

Why this matters: The first source mentions the tornado struck on Tuesday, while the second source states it occurred on Monday evening. This fundamental disagreement on the day of the event significantly affects the timeline and context of the incident.

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