Published: 10:30, July 7, 2026
8 dead, 1 missing after thunderstorms, gales hit Central China's Hubei
By Xinhua
Rescue workers evacuate residents in Shashi district, Jingzhou city, Central China’s Hubei province. May 18, 2026. From May 17 to 18, Jingzhou City experienced unusually heavy rainfall, unprecedented for this time of year. (PHOTO / XINHUA) 

WUHAN – Eight people were killed, and another remained 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 province's emergency management 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.

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The latest round of convective weather has severely battered three communities in Huanggang city's Huangzhou district, local rescue headquarters said Tuesday.

By 5 am Tuesday, the severe weather had injured 275 people across the three communities. A total of 408 residents have been evacuated to safe places by subdistrict and community authorities.

Rescue and relief efforts are underway.