The Grand Harbour of Malta tornado was one of the deadliest tornadoes on record worldwide, killing at least 600 people. It began as a waterspout, hitting the Grand Harbour of Malta where it killed hundreds of people who drowned when their ships capsized.[1] At least four of the Order's galleys, named Santa Fè, San Michele, San Filippo and San Claudio, capsized in the tornado.[2] The date of the tornado is unknown, as sources conflict on it being September 23, 1551 or September 23, 1556. TORRO indicates a rating of T7 on the TORRO scale, equivalent to F3 on the Fujita scale.[3]
 The Grand Harbour as it looked in the siege of 1565 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 23 September 1551 or 23 September 1556 (sources conflict) |
| F3 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 600 fatalities (estimated) |
| Areas affected | Grand Harbour, Malta |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "British & European Tornado Extremes". The Tornado and storm Research Organisation. Archived from the original on 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
- ^ Abela, Joe. "Claude de la Sengle (1494 - 1557)". Senglea Local Council. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- ^ "British and European Extremes". www.torro.org.uk. TORRO. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
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