At least 6 killed in Illinois Amazon warehouse collapse after tornado strikes facility

NWS says damage consistent with an EF-3 tornado has been found

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – At least six people have been killed and dozens were rescued at an Amazon warehouse in southwestern Illinois after it collapsed Friday night when a powerful tornado moved through the area. Search and recovery efforts were ongoing Saturday night, according to officials. 

Gov. JB Pritzker confirmed the updated total to six Saturday afternoon. 

The warehouse, which is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, just northeast of St. Louis, Missouri, collapsed and as many as 100 people were originally trapped.

At a news conference early Saturday morning, Edwardsville Police Chief Michael Fillback said 30 people were able to make it out of the collapsed structure.

At least one person was brought to a hospital to be treated for injuries, and Fillback said search and rescue operations were continuing at the warehouse.

The National Weather Service said Saturday afternoon that survey teams had found damage consistent with an EF-3 tornado. And as the survey continues, the NWS says that rating may be increased.

"We've been closely monitoring the terrible situation in Edwardsville and are heartbroken over the loss of our team members," Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said in a statement. "As the situation continues to evolve, I want our Edwardsville community to know we are working closely with local officials and first responders to support them. My deepest sympathies are with the Amazon community and all impacted."

Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker issued the following statement via Twitter:

FOX Weather is working to get more information.

This developing story will be updated.

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