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'TEN MINUTES OF TERROR': Toddler dies as hailstones smash town in biggest storm in 20 years

One of the hailstones measured 4 inches in diameter, Catalonia's meteorological service said

CATALAN, SPAIN: People were left terrified after an intense hailstorm hit the Catalan town of La Bisbal de l'Emproda and surroundings area on Tuesday, August 30. A 20-month-old girl died after being hit by a huge hailstone during the terror storm in Spain.

One of the hailstones measured 4 inches diameter, Catalonia's meteorological service said. The infant was one of the 50 casualties reported of direct hits from hailstones in La Bisbal de l’Emporda and its surrounding areas.

The infant was rushed to Joseph Trueta Hospital in Girona on Tuesday evening, but died hours later. A woman remained critical in the same hospital on Wednesday due to injuries sustained in the devastating hailstorm. Most of the other people who needed medical treatment reportedly suffered cuts or fractures from the ice.

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According to DailyMail UK, many cars and buildings were also damaged by the tennis ball-size stones, with roof tiles smashed and solar panels dented. Catalan weather chiefs said the hailstones that fell in the area, near the tourist city of Girona close to Spain's border with France, were the largest in 20 years. The deluge began at around 7.30 pm on Tuesday, and the one year old suffered the deadly blow a few minutes later. The hail storm lasted around 10 minutes.

"The hail only fell for 10 minutes, but it was 10 minutes of terror," councillor Carme Vall told local radio, according to AFP news agency.

The infant was rushed to hospital, but passed away as a result of severe head trauma on Wednesday morning, according to Murcia Today. The nationality of the toddler, and where exactly she was when she was hit by the hailstones, is not yet known.

Citizens took to social media to post videos and photos on the hailstorm. One tweeted, "Large hailstorm hit La Bisbal del Ampurdan. Catalonia. Spain," showing how the hailstorm hit the backyard. Another tweeted, "Look at this terrible storm and the crazy hailstorm that hits #Spain, #Berga pic."

More storms were expected in the region on Wednesday. Heavy storms have been predicted for eastern Spain following severe heatwaves during the summer both on land and in the Mediterranean Sea. Experts said the risk of tropical cyclones called medicanes had increased with this year’s record heatwaves and the rise in sea temperatures attributed to global warming. Oceanographer and weather expert Yurima Celdran said, "Higher temperatures in the Mediterranean provide a greater source of energy for medics and amplify their destructive effect."