It's been four months that a violent tornado ripped through the south of Luxembourg, causing serious damage to dozens of homes and injuring 19 people. Clear-up operations are still ongoing in Petange and Bascharage. Insurance companies payed around €40 million to make a number of badly affected homes habitable again - an enterprise which might take several more months before completion.
A small celebration was organised in Petange on Wednesday evening to thank those who lent a helping hand in the clear-up operations. Emergency services and volunteers were honoured for their efforts and solidarity. 400 people were invited, Petange's mayor Pierre Mellina said.
Traces of the tornado remain clearly visible even today.
Officials estimated that 6 months were needed to make the homes habitable again. The implication is a saddening one: several families will not be able to celebrate Christmas at home.
"We were able to restore three houses. The damage dealt to these homes may have been less considerable, and the residents can go home. But there are 28 families who will have to celebrate Christmas somewhere else," Pierre Mellina stated. He added that "some people still have insurance-related problems."
He explained that the affected municipalities foresaw three stages to help the victims. The first one is to take stock with the insurance companies. The second step involves the ministry. The final stage will revolve around the donations that were made to help the victims: "we are going to distribute it as well as possible according to the damage that is not covered, " the mayor explained.
Luxembourg clears up after tornado
19 injured, one person in critical condition after tornado ravages southwest Luxembourg; 160 homes damaged
Shocking video shows Bascharage roof torn off as tornado passes
