Thunderstorms and tornadoes caused widespread damage late Friday night. The authorities fear that the number of victims will still rise.
16:02•Updated 16:22
At least 23 people have been killed in the violent storm that broke out in Mississippi, USA on Friday. The news channel CNN and the news agency Reuters report on the deaths based on official sources, among others.
A powerful thunderstorm front and tornado-like winds wreaked havoc over a total distance of 160 kilometers. The storm tore off the roofs of houses, cut down trees and crushed some residential areas almost to the ground. Thousands of households are currently without electricity.
Sharkey County, located in the western part of Mississippi, was hardest hit by the storm, where at least 13 people died. Further north in Humphrey County, three people were also killed by the violent weather.
According to the US Storm Prediction Center, 11 tornadoes have been spotted in the states of Mississippi and Alabama in the past 24 hours.
So far, however, it is unclear whether the destruction seen now originated from one or more tornadoes.
– I have never seen anything like it. This was a really great little town and now it’s gone, described the resident of Rolling Fork Brandy Showah for CNN. (you switch to another service)
The storm hit quickly
The storm hit Humprey County late Friday night.
– Around 9:30, the tornado warning sirens started sounding and people had to take shelter. It all happened very quickly, describes the county sheriff Bruce Williams for the CBS news channel.
Rescue work is currently underway in the affected areas. The authorities fear that the number of victims will still rise, because not all of the missing have been found.
On the Alabama side, in Morgan County, rescuers have had to help people trapped inside an overturned trailer.
People have also been rescued from apartments on which trees and power lines have fallen.
– This is sad, really sad. Every single trailer in this town is gone. This is going to be tough, said the resident of Silver City, Mississippi Roger Cummings for CBS.
Source: Reuters, AFP