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Winds Kill 13 in Spain, France

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 24, 2009 1:31 PM CST

(Newser) – High winds in Spain and southern France today killed 13 people, crippled transportation networks, and cut power to more than 1.7 million, Reuters reports. The deaths were caused by flying debris, collapsed walls, and trees pushed over by the wind, which topped 100 mph in some areas. In Barcelona, four children ages 9 to 12 were killed when an athletic center collapsed. Airports in the region have been closed, rail service suspended, and 60-foot ocean swells are stranding dolphins on beaches.

Rescue workers bring out a covered body from a sports center which collapsed in high winds. (AP Photo)

The interior of the sports center that collapsed. (AP Photo)

Map locates Barcelona, Spain where high winds caused the collapse of a sports complex. (AP Photo)

Rescuers work in part of a sports center which collapsed in high winds killing four children and trapping and injuring others in Spain today. (AP Photo)

A man inspects the damage after a tree fell onto a car at the Jobel camping site in Tarnos, southwestern France. (AP Photo)

A huge wave hits a pier in Socoa, on the Atlantic coast near Saint-Jean-de-Luz, southwestern France. (AP Photo)

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Spain • France • storm • winds • railway • death toll • airport • power outage

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

S&P Downgrades France, Italy, 7 Others

Paris and Austria lose AAA status

Basque Group ETA Calls Cease-Fire After 43 Years

Move could end last armed militancy in Europe

Moody's Downgrades Spain, Warns France

Sarkozy vows to take bold action at debt summit

It's Official: US Is World's Coolest Country

Obama, Jay-Z, Steve Jobs help win crown

Hurricane Irene Death Toll Hits 31

And millions could be without power for weeks

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?