Jeff Bezos responds as Amazon workers among the dead after tornadoes smash US

Jeff Bezos has spoken after facing criticised for not doing enough after an Amazon factory worker was confirmed dead during horror tornadoes.

Jeff Bezos said he was “heartbroken” over the deaths of at least six Amazon employees in an Illinois warehouse hit by a devastating tornado.

At least 100 people are believed to have died – including the six Amazon workers – after a tornado and deadly storm system that ripped through multiple US states.

The storms struck Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Illinois on Friday night local time, the New York Post reported, with US President Joe Biden declaring a state of emergency in Kentucky.

“This is likely to be one of the largest tornado outbreaks in our history,” he said.

“Earlier today I called the governors of the states that experienced severe impacts of the storms including Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri as well as Tennessee.

“Looks like a war zone, but worse.”

Amazon founder Bezos was blasted on social media earlier for failing to mention the deadly incident in Edwardsville while cheering on his latest group of space tourists in an Instagram post.

“The news from Edwardsville is tragic,” he finally said in a statement on Twitter.

“All of Edwardsville should know that the Amazon team is committed to supporting them and will be by their side through this crisis.

“We extend our fullest gratitude to all the incredible first responders who have worked so tirelessly at the site.”

The news from Edwardsville is tragic. We’re heartbroken over the loss of our teammates there, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. (1/2)

— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) December 12, 2021

The statement came 24 hours after the tornado struck, and after Bezos had posted a photo on Instagram with the latest crew of his New Shepard rocket, including former NFL champion Michael Strahan.

“Happy crew this morning in the training center,” he wrote.

Bezos was spotted high fiving the Blue Origin crew after they returned from a 10-minute flight in West Texas, as he greeted them at the door of the capsule.

Several social media users ripped the billionaire over the celebration, with one writing, “It’s really sickening if you want my honest opinion.”

Tornado terror

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the death toll is expected to rise to 100 in the wake of the tornadoes and storms that ripped through the US Midwest.

“We were pretty sure that we would lose over 50 Kentuckians, I’m now certain that that number is north of 70. It may in fact end up exceeding 100 before the day is done.”

BREAKING: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear: "We were pretty sure that we would lose over 50 Kentuckians, I'm now certain that that number is north of 70. It may in fact end up exceeding 100 before the day is done." https://t.co/eXbnw6jZR6pic.twitter.com/pmii4aBL1c

— ABC News (@ABC) December 11, 2021

“We have deaths in multiple counties,” he said during a live press conference on Saturday morning, local time.

“This is one of the toughest nights in Kentucky’s history … We are here for you. We love you. We are praying for you.”

The most intense damage I have found in #Mayfield. The entire path in the town is less than 2% of the total path length. Homes with only slabs remaining. #Tornado#wxtwitterpic.twitter.com/nXxoxNBVhY

— WxChasing- Brandon Clement (@bclemms) December 11, 2021

At least six Amazon workers are believed to have been killed in Illinois after an Amazon warehouse collapsed in the wild weather, with up to 100 workers trapped inside.

Among them was Clayton Cope, a maintenance worker whose mother confirmed to Fox 2 St. Louis that he was among the victims.

Clayton Cope, 29, a maintenance worker at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Edwardsville, Illinois, was killed in the tragedy. Picture: Family photo via FOX2now

About 30 people who were in the building were rescued and taken by bus to a nearby police station for evaluation, Edwardsville Police Chief Mike Fillback said.

“It’s still an active scene,” he said.

The severe weather system moved north into Illinois and devastated the Amazon distribution centre in Edwardsville. Multiple workers were trapped inside the building after a “structural collapse,” according to Fox 2 in Illinois.

Family members rushed to the site of the Amazon warehouse, hoping their loved ones were safe.

“He was on the phone with me while it was happening,” Aisha White told KMOV while waiting outside the building.

“The tornado was hitting the back of the building, the trucks were coming in, I told him to jump out the truck and duck. We watched the building go up, stuff hitting the cars, I told him I was on my way.”

According to reports, the Amazon Distribution Center in Illinois was struck by a tornado on Friday night, local time. Picture: Michael Thomas/Getty Images/AFP

Authorities sorting through rubble

Amazon spokesman Richard Rocha told The Post that the company was in the process of determining the damage.

“The safety and wellbeing of our employees and partners is our top priority right now,” he said.

“We’re assessing the situation and will share additional information when it’s available.”

One official told KTVI-TV that up to 100 people were believed to be in the building, working the night shift, at the time of the collapse.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many people were hurt, but one person was flown by helicopter to a hospital.

Edwardsville Police Chief Mike Fillback said several people who were in the building were taken by bus to the police station in nearby Pontoon Beach for evaluation.

By early Saturday, local time, rescue crews were still sorting through the rubble to determine if anyone was trapped inside.

Mr Fillback said the process would last for several more hours. Cranes and backhoes were brought in to help move debris.

Up to 100 workers were believed to be trapped inside. Picture: Michael Thomas/Getty Images/AFP

“Please be patient with us. Our fire personnel are doing everything they can to reunite everyone with their loved ones,” Mr Fillback said on KMOV-TV.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said on Twitter that Illinois State Police and disaster officials were co-ordinating with local officials in Edwardsville, and he was monitoring the situation.

“My prayers are with the people of Edwardsville tonight, and I’ve reached out to the mayor to provide any needed state resources,” Mr Pritzker said.

In Charles County Missouri, officials confirmed that at least one person has died and two others injured from the deadly tornado, according to Fox 2.

Responders were also working to free another individual who was trapped in his home.

“We’ve been on the scene for quite a while now and expect to be on scene for quite a while longer,” Kyle Gaines, the communications director for the St. Charles County Ambulance District told the outlet.

“We’ll be doing house-to-house checks to make sure everyone is okay.”

The tornado or series of twisters also reportedly touched in the towns of Mayfield and Benton, Kentucky.

Reports of damage across multiple counties tonight. This is the Graves County Courthouse in Mayfield. PLEASE stay weather aware and keep our communities in your thoughts. #kywxpic.twitter.com/Tw9FsjLSH7

— KEMA (@KentuckyEMA) December 11, 2021

According to WPSD-TV, the Graves County Courthouse in Mayfield, KY was completely destroyed. Images posted by Kentucky Emergency Management Association showed the top of the courthouse lopped off.

Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in Kentucky early Saturday morning. His office said in a tweet that he deployed the Kentucky National Guard and Kentucky State Police to assist with response efforts. Beshear will provide an update with the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management at 5am in Frankfort, his office said.

Last night Western Kentucky experienced some of the worst tornado damage we’ve seen, and we are urging everyone to please stay safe as there are still active cells. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/jkv1sqf3za

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) December 11, 2021

Kentucky State Police said in a statement that while no fatalities have been confirmed as of early Saturday morning, “loss of life is expected.”

Police said the tornado caused “significant damage” across the western parts of the state.

In Hopkins County, Kentucky the winds were so severe that a train was derailed from its tracks, Sheriff Matt Sanderson confirmed.

We are still seeing severe and dangerous weather across Kentucky. Folks, please stay safe inside of your homes and take precautions as needed. The worst of this severe weather should be over by daybreak. pic.twitter.com/vz4hDw8306

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) December 11, 2021

“There’s a train that has been turned over with the wind that came through here this morning … so we’re trying to assess what type of material we had on that train,” Mr Sanderson told WKYT-TV.

The sheriff described the terrifying experience of two children who were reported missing after they were swept away in the tornado and found in a bathtub that had been flung from their home.

“There were two children in the Barnsley area that were missing and they were actually found in a bathtub not where the house was originally standing,” he said.

The children were miraculously found unscathed and don’t appear to be injured, he said. They’ve been returned back with their mother.

The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings throughout the region as the deadly weather system continued its pace northward.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission