More Than 80 Dead As Tornadoes Flatten Entire Blocks In 5 US States
Rescuers were desperately searching for survivors early Sunday after dozens of devastating tornadoes tore through six US states, leaving at least 83 people dead, dozens missing and towns in ruin.
US President Joe Biden called the wave of tornadoes, including one that travelled more than 200 miles, "one of the largest" storm outbreaks in American history.
"It's a tragedy," a shaken Biden, who pledged support for the affected states, said in televised comments. "And we still don't know how many lives are lost and the full extent of the damage."
Scores of search and rescue officials were helping stunned citizens across the US heartland sift through the rubble of their homes and businesses overnight.
More than 70 people are believed to have been killed in Kentucky alone, many of them workers at a candle factory, while at least six died in an Amazon warehouse in Illinois where they were on the night shift processing orders ahead of Christmas.
"This event is the worst, most devastating, most deadly tornado event in Kentucky's history," said state governor Andy Beshear, adding he fears "we will have lost more than 100 people."
US TORNADOES: PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH AMERICAN PEOPLE
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the sympathies of the nation to the government and people of the United States following devastating tornadoes ripping across six states, leaving destruction and death on their trail.
Reacting to the catastrophe shown around the globe since Friday, President Buhari said, “the destruction of whole towns, flattening of houses, schools, hospitals, businesses and other social infrastructure on a scale never seen before is deeply saddening.”
He said, “our deepest sympathies go to all those affected, as well as the government and the American people."
The President urged fellow citizens to join the rest of the world in praying for the deceased and the quick recovery of other victims and their families at this difficult time.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
December 12, 2021.
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