A flight of stairs was thrown across the runway
Shocking footage has emerged online showing a parked passenger plane spinning on a runway in eastern Argentina as severe storms batter the country. The plane was stationary at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery airport near Buenos Aires on Sunday when it was hit by strong winds, causing it to spin.
In addition, a flight gate was thrown across the runway and collided with a luggage rack. Tragically, 14 people died during the storm, causing damage to buildings and power outages en route to the Argentine capital, The Independent reported.
Watch the video here:
A storm moved through Buenos Aires this morning, flooding the city and bringing strong winds that caused power outages and damage across the capital.
This is a Boeing B737 that is being pushed by strong winds at Pistarini Airport.
[📹 Pablezlo]pic.twitter.com/bHekD6xOFS
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) December 17, 2023
Meanwhile, gale-force winds gusting up to 150 kilometers per hour caused the roof of a sports facility to collapse during a roller skating competition on Saturday evening in the city of Bahia Blanca, officials said.
According to the city administration, another 14 people were injured in this incident.
Argentine President Javier Milei traveled to Bahia Blanca on Sunday with several ministers to coordinate relief efforts, AFP reported.
The storm claimed a 14th death in Argentina when a falling tree branch killed a woman in the town of Moreno, 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Buenos Aires.
In Uruguay, at least two people died in the early hours of Sunday as the storm knocked down trees and tore off roofs, the National Weather Institute said.