Five people were killed and 33 others injured by a tornado that hit Guangzhou on Saturday afternoon.

The tornado hit Zhongluotan town in the city's Baiyun district at around 3pm.

Videos posted online showed a mid-afternoon sky darkened by storm clouds and debris swirling up into the air.

Social media images also showed damaged cars and uprooted trees.

A weather station in the area registered a maximum wind gust of 20.6 metres per second.

According to a preliminary investigation by the provincial meteorological bureau, the tornado had a level-three intensity, two levels down from the highest intensity level of five.

Authorities said 141 factory buildings were damaged.

Tornado warnings were issued for other parts of Guangzhou. (Xinhua and agencies)