Following the collapse of an Amazon (AMZN) warehouse building after an EF-3 tornado caused major structural damage to the building on Friday, December 10, according to the Edwardsville Fire Department in Illinois, at least six people have been confirmed dead. The tornado caused major structural damage to the building.
Six states were hit by tornadoes on Friday night, leaving a trail of death and damage in the form of destroyed houses and businesses that stretched more than 200 miles in length.
According to Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford, 45 individuals were able to escape the building, with one person being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, during a news conference on Saturday night.
"Early this afternoon, we brought the response portion of this incident to a stop, and our attention is now exclusively focused on recovery," Whiteford said.
Six individuals were killed in Illinois, according to the latest update. Following a tornado, an Amazon warehouse collapsed.
Recovery efforts are likely to take three more days, and first responders will continue "to scour the scene for evidence of life," according to a statement from the Red Cross.
Amazon Worldwide Consumer CEO Dave Clark expressed his sadness for the loss of life at the site and in the surrounding area, according to the firm.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, as well as with everyone else who has been impacted by the storm's journey across the United States of America. We're continuing to provide assistance to our employees and business partners in the affected area as well as in other communities across the country. We would also like to express our gratitude to all of the first responders for their continued efforts on the scene "Clark shared his thoughts on Twitter.
The tornado made landfall at 8:35 p.m. CT on Friday, and the chief estimated that approximately 150 yards of the building collapsed as a result.
President Biden and Deanne Criswell, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were among those who spoke with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who also claimed to have spoken with an official from Amazon.
The governor urged the corporation to "give every support to this community," which the company has stated it intends to do, Mr. Pritzker stated.