Winds of over 69 meters per second have toppled trees and cars. Several buildings and homes have been damaged.
The city of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, in the state of Paraná, with a population of around 14,000, was hardest hit by the tornado. According to the state's civil defense, 90 percent of the city was damaged, and a spokesperson likened the devastation to "a war zone."
"It (the tornado) destroyed everything. The city, houses, schools, what will happen to us now?" asks resident Roselei Dalcandon.
Authorities warn that the number of dead and injured could rise.
The governor of Paraná, Ratinho Júnior, writes on X that "security forces are on alert and monitoring the cities affected by the strong storms."
