Deadly tornado destroys 80 percent of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil
A powerful tornado struck the municipality of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, Paraná, southern Brazil, in the late afternoon of November 7, 2025, killing at least five people and injuring over 130, of whom 30 were seriously injured. Winds exceeding 240 km/h (150 mph) destroyed most of the town’s structures, prompting a large-scale emergency response by Civil Defense, the Fire Department, and state authorities.
Large tornado kills at least 5, injures over 130 and destroys 80 percent of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil on November 7, 2025. Credit: San Roque News
A violent tornado swept through the municipality of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu (population 14 000), in south-central Paraná, on Friday, November 7, leaving widespread destruction across the urban area. Local authorities confirmed five fatalities and approximately 130 injuries, including around 30 people seriously hurt
Preliminary local assessments indicate that up to 80% of the town’s structures were damaged or destroyed, affecting much of the community of roughly 14 000 residents.
According to the city hall and the Paraná Civil Defense, the tornado caused the collapse of multiple structures, including a supermarket, while uprooting trees, power poles, and masonry walls. Streets were left impassable, and the electricity and water supply were disrupted. Firefighters, police, and medical teams from neighboring municipalities joined local volunteers in ongoing rescue and debris-clearing operations.
Paraná Governor Ratinho Júnior held an emergency meeting at the Central Fire Department headquarters in Curitiba on Friday night to coordinate relief and assessment measures.
“We already knew that we would face a difficult moment,” he said, “but we never imagined a tornado that could cause all this devastation.” The municipality plans to release an official donation channel as the number of displaced families continues to rise.
Meteorological data from Simepar (Sistema de Tecnologia e Monitoramento Ambiental do Paraná) confirm that an F2-class tornado, associated with a strong line of instability, formed in the afternoon between the northwest of Rio Grande do Sul and southern Paraná.
The system developed in response to a marked temperature gradient, hot, humid air from the north colliding with a cold front advancing from Argentina. The temperature of 34.5°C (94.1°F) recorded on November 7 at the Entre Rios District station in Guarapuava was the highest temperature of the year at that location and the highest for the month of November since the station began operating in 2001, according to Simepar.
At the same time, a mass of cold air was advancing through northeastern Argentina. This thermal contrast, combined with high convective instability, contributed to the development of severe thunderstorms capable of generating microbursts and tornadoes.
Simepar reported estimated wind speeds between 180 and 250 km/h (110–155 mph), consistent with a strong F2 tornado on the standard Fujita scale.
Severe weather persisted across Paraná on Friday, with multiple reports of hail and heavy rainfall in nearby municipalities.
Emergency teams continued search-and-recovery efforts in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu and surrounding rural areas, while Civil Defense conducted structural safety inspections. Temporary shelters were opened in schools and community centers for displaced residents.
References:
1 Tornado destrói cidade do Paraná; resgate atua em Rio Bonito do Iguaçu – MetSul – November 7, 2025
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