Storms lash South America

The storms are unusually powerful

At least one man has been killed and several people injured after powerful thunderstorms and winds swept across Argentina and Uruguay on Tuesday night.

In Argentina, a 55-year-old man was electrocuted along with his dog when he accidentally touched a live power line while using a metal bar to unclog a storm sewer.

Dozens of people were injured in Argentina when a circus tent collapsed in Rosario, about 280 km north of Buenos Aires.

Correspondents say the storms are unusually heavy for the South American summer.

Hail and pelting rain

Elsewhere, a woman was injured by a collapsing wall and a falling tree crushed a truck. The driver was unhurt.

Across the region winds gusting up to 80 mph coupled with hail and pelting rain forced hundreds of people from their homes.

Ezeiza International Airport west of Buenos Aires reported heavy hail as the storms played havoc with flight schedules

A report has also revealed that lightning has burned nearly 500,000 acres (200,000 hectares) of farm and woodlands this year.

Storms and heavy rain also struck Cuba on Tuesday, reportedly killing three people and destroying more than 100 homes.