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Incident

Southern US storms leave many dead

06 February 2008 09:48 (UTC +04:00)

Worst hit were the states of Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi.
A number of tornadoes were reported, destroying several buildings, and rescue teams have been searching through the night for possible victims.
In one incident, several people sheltering under a bridge were swept into a river, but were rescued with only minor injuries.
Arkansas and Tennessee were among states holding nominating votes on Tuesday for Novemberâ€™s presidential election.
The storms killed at least 11 people in Tennessee, eight in Arkansas and three in Kentucky.
The full extent of the damage may not be clear until daybreak.
In Arkansas, a couple and their 11-year-old daughter were killed in their home after a tornado touched down near the centre of the town of Atkins, a community of 3,000 along the Arkansas River in the central part of the state.
"This was an extraordinary night," Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe said.
In Memphis, Tennessee, a shopping centre was damaged and had to be evacuated with some injuries, reports said.
Six tornado warnings are still in place in Kentucky, where the National Weather Center was urging people to seek shelter immediately. /APA/