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Emergency workers are searching for survivors in the US town of Moore, Oklahoma State, after a deadly tornado hit on May 20.
Officials confirmed that 24 bodies, including several children, had so far been recovered from the wreckage in the devastated town.
Earlier reports on the death toll were higher, but officials said that in the chaos some bodies may have been counted twice.
Plaza Towers Elementary School was reduced to ruins.
Oklahoma State Trooper Betsy Randolph explained how the rescue efforts began: “They started searching for people immediately, like at the school, more specifically. We went over there because it was such a confined area and such devastation.”
“We had to be careful as we stood on debris, that we weren’t standing on people buried underneath,” Randolph continued.
The three kilometre-wide tornado in Moore ranks among the most severe in recent US history. Authorities issued a warning to the town 16 minutes before it hit.
American flag
An American flag lies on top of an overturned car after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma. A 3-km-wide tornado tore through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore on Monday, killing at least 91 people while destroying entire tracts of homes, piling cars atop one another, and trapping two dozen school children beneath rubble. REUTERS/Gene Blevins
Children with dog
Abby Madi (L) and Peterson Zatterlee comforts Zaterlee’s dog Rippy, after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma. A 3-km-wide tornado tore through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore on Monday, killing at least 91 people while destroying entire tracts of homes, piling cars atop one another, and trapping two dozen school children beneath rubble. REUTERS/Gene Blevins
Destroyed cars
Destroyed cars are seen along Interstate 35 after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma. A 3-km-wide tornado tore through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore on Monday, killing at least 91 people while destroying entire tracts of homes, piling cars atop one another, and trapping two dozen school children beneath rubble. REUTERS/Gene Blevins
Gas pumps missing
Gas pumps islands are seen without pumps after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma. A 3-km-wide tornado tore through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore on Monday, killing at least 91 people while destroying entire tracts of homes, piling cars atop one another, and trapping two dozen school children beneath rubble. REUTERS/Gene Blevins
Two girls
Two girls stand in rubble after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma. A 3-km-wide tornado tore through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore on Monday, killing at least 91 people while destroying entire tracts of homes, piling cars atop one another, and trapping two dozen school children beneath rubble. REUTERS/Gene Blevins
USA’s deadliest tornadoes
Where:“Tri-State” (Missouri, Illinois and Indiana)
When: March 18, 1925
Casualties: 695
Where: Natchez, Mississippi
When: May 7, 1840
Casualties: 317
Where: St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois
When: May 27, 1896
Casualties: 255
Where: Tupelo, Mississippi
When: April 5, 1936
Casualties: 216
Where: Gainesville, Georgia
When: April 5, 1936
Casualties: 203
Where: Woodward, Oklahoma
When: April 9, 1947
Casualties: 181
Where: Joplin, Missouri
When: May 22, 2011
Casualties: 158
Where: Amite, Louisiana and Purvis, Mississippi
When: April 24, 1908
Casualties: 143
Where: New Richmond, Wisconsin
When: June 12, 1899
Casualties: 117
Where: Flint, Michigan
When: June 8, 1953
Casualties: 116
More about: Natural catastrophe, Oklahoma City, Tornado, United States tornado, Victims
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