BEIJING, CHINA - A TORNADO in China tore up 650 houses in just five minutes and damaged nearly 1,000, state media said on Sunday, but only one person died.

The tornado touched down in the eastern province of Anhui on Saturday, causing 18.5 million yuan (S$3.7 million) in losses.

Forty-five people, including eight seriously wounded, were taken to hospital after the tornado hit in Lingbi county, Xinhua news agency said.

One 76-year-old villager died on the way to hospital.

More than 20,000 people were 'affected' by the tornado and 950 were relocated, Xinhua said. -- REUTERS