City in Chilean salmon farming area hit by powerful tornado

The tornado, which has been classified as a Category F-1 with wind speeds between 86 and 110 mph (138 and 178 km/h), damaged more than 250 homes, and 19 people were reported injured. In addition, power and water supplies were cut off for thousands of residents.

Among those affected was Salmoclinic, a service provider to the aquaculture industry. The company's offices were severely damaged and are temporarily out of service as a result of the incident. Several people from the aquaculture industry have also experienced major damage to their homes.

Not directly affected

In an update from salmon ova supplier Benchmark Genetics Chile, the company said that fortunately its headquarters in Puerto Varas was not directly affected, even though the area experienced a prolonged power outage.

The company expressed its relief that all employees, their families and homes are safe.

"Our production facilities are located far away from the affected area and are not affected," the company said.

Benchmark emphasised that although it escaped impact, the incident is a clear reminder of how climate change is leading to more extreme and unpredictable weather events.

"Our thoughts go out to everyone in the local community who may have been affected," writes Benchmark.

200 metres from office

Fish handling specialist Cflow also had a close call.

"The tornado passed 200 metres from our office, so we were lucky," Tommy Møller from Cflow Chile told Fish Farming Expert's Norwegian sister site, Kyst.no.

Cflow has had ongoing activities in Chile since 2002 and a permanent presence in the country since 2004.

Will provide quick support

Two salmon sector organisations, SalmonChile and the Salmon Council, have initiated measures to help those affected in the city.

In collaboration with local authorities and organisations such as Desafío Levantemos Chile, they are working to map the damage and coordinate aid.

The goal is to provide quick and effective support to the affected communities, reports Fish Farming Expert's Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl.