COLOGNE, Germany 

One person was killed and 40 injured as a tornado and flash floods hit western Germany on Friday. 

A 38-year-old man in the far-western town of Wittgert died after suffering electric shock in a flooded cellar, said police.

And 40 people were injured in storms and tornadoes in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW).

Police said the severe storm caused heavy damage, especially in Paderborn.

Due to the storm and heavy rain, the roofs of some houses were blown away and windows were broken.

Damage assessment and repair works have begun.