11 dead, 1 missing after thunderstorms, gales hit Central China's Hubei

WUHAN -- Eleven people were killed and one remains missing after thunderstorms and gales brought by severe convective weather hit the eastern part of Central China's Hubei province on Monday night, according to the provincial authorities.

Between 7 pm and 11 pm on Monday, thunderstorms and strong winds hit Huangshi, Huanggang, Ezhou, and Xianning, with two townships seeing gales reaching level 13. Some areas saw tornadoes, according to the local authorities.

The extreme weather has torn down 22 buildings and damaged another 4,855 in the area, injuring 331 local residents, local authorities said.

The province has launched all-out rescue and relief efforts and is working to prevent secondary disasters.