Grand Harbour of Malta tornado
Disastrous tornado in 1551
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The Grand Harbour of Malta tornado was an alleged tornado in Malta, killing at least 600 people. It supposedly 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 the only source of the event comes from a tornado blog, but he guesses roughly 23 September 1551 or 23 September 1556. TORRO indicates a rating of T7 on the TORRO scale, equivalent to F3 on the Fujita scale.[3]
Formed23 September 1551 or 23 September 1556 (sources conflict)
Fatalities600 fatalities (estimated)
Areas affectedGrand Harbour, Malta
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 |
