16 dead as massive storm system sweeps across US

At least 16 people have been killed across the US as a storm system unleashed multiple tornadoes that struck across several states in the south and midwest, officials said.

"Tornadoes and storms that hit the territories of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas threaten approximately 138 million people. In addition, extreme weather conditions have already led to the spread of forest fires. More than 100 fires have been recorded in the specified territories," the publication says.