Panic in Portugal as 'tornado' rips through holiday hotspot filled with Brits - 1 missing

Strong winds in Albufeira (Image: X)

One person is missing and at least 21 have been injured as strong winds ripped through Albufeira in Portugal, according to reports. Local media have suggested the area was hit by an "extreme wind phenomenon", probably a tornado, citing a source.

Albufeira, a coastal city in the Algarve region, is a popular holiday destination. Footage, purportedly of the aftermath, shared on social media shows a large area of debris, with a car seen badly damaged. Dozens of emergency workers have been deployed, while a search operation underway for the missing person. 

Both a hotel and campsite were hit by the powerful gusts on Saturday morning, according to a source from Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command.

The source, who has not been named, told the Portugues outlet Sul Informação that 19 people were injured, one seriously. at the Hotel Eden.

Two were also seriously injured at a campsite, with one person missing.

The Civil Protection said those seriously hurt have been rushed to the hospital in nearby Faro, while others with minor injuries are being treated at a facility in Albufeira, reports Sul Informação.

It said: "We continue to search for the missing person. A number of structures were affected. A number of caravans in the campsite, as well as the roof of the hotel unit, were also affected and caused damage."

The Civil Protection did not comment on whether the devastation was caused by a tornado.

"What we do know is that it was an extreme wind phenomenon," it said.