MOTHER NATURE

13 Killed in Freak Storms in Moscow

Dozens more injured after trees and structures were sent flying.

Thirteen people were killed and dozens injured in Moscow on Monday after a storm with freakishly high winds tore through the city, uprooting structures and knocking down trees. The health department of Moscow’s City Hall said at least 50 people were injured. Most of the fatalities were caused by falling trees or structures, with one victim killed by a flying fence, and another an uprooted bus-stop shelter. Described by investigators as “hurricane winds,” the winds reached speeds as high as 70 mph. The weather also caused major delays at the city’s airports, and at least one train was forced to stop while rescue workers removed a tree from the tracks. Meteorologists have said the storm’s high winds were incredibly rare for the city, and the high death toll ranks it among the deadliest storms to affect Moscow in more than 100 years.