A catastrophic tornado with wind speeds reaching 250 km/h tore through the southern Brazilian state of Paraná on November 8, 2025, leaving a trail of destruction and despair. The city of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, home to 14,000 residents, bore the brunt of the storm, with approximately 90% of its structures obliterated in less than a minute. The disaster claimed at least six lives, injured 750 people, and left one individual missing. Aerial images reveal a landscape of shattered buildings and debris, while nearby agricultural lands remained largely untouched. Fernando Schunig, head of Paraná’s Civil Protection Agency, likened the scene to a ‘war zone,’ emphasizing the lethal impact of such events on urban areas. Residents like Gilberto Brecailo and Marileia Chagas shared harrowing accounts of losing livelihoods and narrowly escaping death. The tragedy struck as Brazil prepared to host the UN Climate Conference COP30 in Belem, reigniting discussions on climate change’s role in intensifying extreme weather events. Experts warn that rising temperatures and humidity could increase atmospheric instability, fueling more frequent and severe tornadoes. In response, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with victims, while government officials mobilized emergency aid, including food, hygiene products, and shelter materials. Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Jr. declared three days of mourning as search and rescue operations continued.