It’s after tornadoes left a trail of destruction across a number of US states.
An estimated 100 people are believed to be trapped in an Amazon warehouse in Illinois after it collapsed during a major winter storm.
A series of tornadoes have been sweeping across America as a result of the storm on Friday, wreaking havoc in a number of states.
Emergency vehicles have reached the Amazon fulfilment centre to begin rescue operations, with officials saying workers are believed to be trapped inside.
The Emergency Management Agency of Collinsville, Illinois have called it a “mass casualty incident.”
It is not yet clear how many people were injured in the collapse.
A dozen BFD Technical Rescue Team members mounted up and headed to Edwardsville to assist with the Amazon warehouse building collapse. pic.twitter.com/yK8xDOH3D0
— BFD PIO (@BFDPIO) December 11, 2021
One official told Fox News affiliate KTVI-TV that over 100 people were believed to be inside the building working the night shift at the time of the collapse.
Illinois governor JB Pritzker tweeted: “My prayers are with the people of Edwardsville tonight, and I’ve reached out to the mayor to provide any needed state resources.
“Our [Illinois State Police] and [Ready Illinois] are both coordinating closely with local officials and I will continue to monitor the situation.”
My prayers are with the people of Edwardsville tonight, and I've reached out to the mayor to provide any needed state resources.
Our @ILStatePolice and @ReadyIllinois are both coordinating closely with local officials and I will continue to monitor the situation.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) December 11, 2021
“The safety and well-being of our employees and partners is our top priority right now,” Amazon spokesperson Richard Rocha said in a written statement Friday night. “We’re assessing the situation and will share additional information when it’s available.”
Along with the collapsed Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, at least 50 people are feared dead in Kentucky after the tornadoes.
Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency after the tornadoes, activating the Kentucky National Guard and the Kentucky State Police, with a candle factory in the state collapsing in the storm.
Several are feared dead at the facility in Mayfield, Kentucky, with Beshear calling the situation “tragic”, the Associated Press reports.
We are praying for our Western Kentucky families. 2/2
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) December 11, 2021
“There were about 110 people in it at the time that the tornado hit it,” Beshear said. “We believe we’ll lose at least dozens of those individuals. It’s very hard, really tough, and we’re praying for each and every one of those families.”
There are also reports of multiple deaths at a nursing home in Arkansas, the Independent reports.
At least two residents were killed and five seriously injures after a tornado hit the home at about 8:15pm on Friday night, trapping around 20 people in the wreckage.
Just a heartbreaking scene at Monette Manor Nursing Home. Prayers that somehow everyone is ok. #arwx pic.twitter.com/kRNcpznNo2
— Brian Emfinger (@brianemfinger) December 11, 2021
Although the home was cleared within 90 minutes of its collapse and everyone believed to have been inside accounted for, Craighead County Judge Marvin Day told the Associated Press that the search is still on as the crew fear the possibility if additional victims in the debris.
“It looks like it’s pretty much destroyed,” Mr Day said of the building. “… It happens quick but apparently there was a little bit of time with tornado sirens going off.” Some residents were found in the basement “and were prepared for this,” he said.
Related links:
- Tornado warning issued as Storm Barra arrives in UK
- Storm Arwen: Third person crushed to death by tree amid weather chaos
