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State of emergency declared after tornados hit New Zealand

By DPA

Wellington : A state of emergency was declared Thursday evening in New Zealand's North Island area of New Plymouth after a series of tornados ripped through the region, according to reports.

Police said late Thursday that about seven tornados hit the region during an electrical storm about 5.30 p.m. The cyclones damaged about 50 houses, with many sustaining damage of up to 80 per cent, police said.

Police said roofs were blown off, trees toppled, and power lines damaged. Senior Sergeant Geoff Ryan told Radio New Zealand that extra emergency services were called in to the area, and ambulances were tending to several injured people.

Ryan said several state highways around the region have been closed.