Plum-sized hailstones wreak havoc in Buenos Aires

An unusually long hailstorm hit Buenos Aires City with full force yesterday, battering the city with hailstones as big as plums that injured 14 people and caused traffic havoc. Numerous vehicles pulled over to the sides of roads and freeways as the strong storm and heavy fog fell over the city, overflowing mains, breaking windows and denting cars.

Subway and train services were cancelled for well past the end of the 20-minute mid-afternoon storm. Travellers were left to catch slow-moving buses and taxis or to walk through the puddles and stream-like roads once the rain and hail subsided.

The Health Ministry reported that most of the hail victims had been hit on the head. Two people were injured in the biggest related car crash, which involved six vehicles on the Pan-American highway.