BBC News viewers had a moment of amusement when a reporter mistakenly claimed that a “volcano” had struck parts of Greater Manchester instead of a tornado. The incident occurred following the devastation caused by Storm Gerrit, which wreaked havoc in Stalybridge, Tameside, damaging over 100 homes.
The BBC dispatched Fiona Trott, its North of England Correspondent, to report on the aftermath of the supercell’s passage through the region. During her report, the experienced broadcaster seemingly confused her words and stated, “That was the path of the volcano,” instead of referring to the tornado’s path.
The gaffe led to a wave of humorous reactions on social media, with viewers taking to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to share their amusement. One user jokingly commented, “Crying laughing!! Volcanoes in Manchester. Whatever next?”
Another user joined in, saying, “BBC 6pm News tonight. Poor old Manchester – a tornado and a volcano!”
While the incident sparked laughter among viewers, neither Fiona Trott nor the BBC has addressed the reporting error.
This is not the first time that Fiona Trott has faced challenges during live reports. In 2021, she encountered hecklers while covering a hospital bombing in Liverpool Women’s Hospital, with individuals attempting to hijack her live broadcast by shouting unrelated comments.
Storm Gerrit, which struck the North of England shortly before midnight on Wednesday, caused significant damage in Stalybridge, with winds reaching up to 85mph. Homeowners were urged to attend a town hall for assistance, and meteorologists from the Met Office suggested that a tornado was likely responsible for the destruction.
Local residents described the event as unprecedented, with strong winds causing trees to topple, vehicles to sustain damage, and roads to become blocked. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the wake of the tornado-like event.
As the affected community begins its recovery process, viewers of BBC News will likely remember the moment when a volcano was humorously mentioned in place of the tornado that struck Greater Manchester.
