Tornadoes, or twisters, are among the world’s most terrifying weather events, tearing across land and often causing extensive damage and death. Defined as vertical funnels of rapidly rotating air, tornadoes form from severe thunderstorms – and certain parts of the world are far more susceptible. 

From tornadoes with the highest death tolls to tragedies that could have been avoided, we round up some of the deadliest and most devastating twisters of all time...