(CNN) 鈥� At least 11 people have died and more than 50 others are injured after tornadoes tore through parts of聽South Africa鈥檚 coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, authorities said.
The devastating storms caused major damage, particularly in the town of Tongaat,聽in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where from ravaged neighborhoods showed debris from dozens of wrecked homes.
鈥淭he damage is quite huge,鈥� Nomusa Dube-Ncube, the premier of KwaZulu-Natal, noting that the casualty numbers could rise.
The South African Weather Service confirmed that at least two tornadoes struck the province on Monday afternoon, causing 鈥渟ignificant damage.鈥�
鈥淭he first tornado occurred between Newcastle and Utrecht over the western interior of KwaZulu-Natal,鈥� it said in a Tuesday.
A larger tornado developed later around Tongaat and moved east to the coast near Westbrook and Ballito, where it caused further destruction.
The provincial government stated that for families displaced by the storms and that those injured are receiving treatment in hospitals.
鈥淪outh Africa聽does experience tornadoes from time to time,鈥� the weather service explained, especially 鈥渨hen large and intense weather systems affect the country.鈥�
KwaZulu-Natal has a history of extreme weather conditions that has caused multiple casualties.
In 2022, in the province after heavy rains caused severe flooding, damaging homes and roads in what provincial authorities described as in South Africa鈥檚 history.
The-CNN-Wire
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