Deadly Tornadoes Kills 25 in Tennessee

The death toll from two tornadoes that ripped through central Tennessee has risen to 25, the state's Governor William Lee said on Tuesday.

In Nashville, Tennessee's biggest city, the tornadoes caused widespread damage to homes and other buildings.

A number of people remain unaccounted for, Governor Lee said in a press conference.

President Donald Trump has said he plans to visit the state on Friday.

The storm hit after midnight and moved so quickly that many people sleeping didn't have time to take shelter, US media reports.

Much of the damage is centered in Putnam County - 80 miles (130km) east of Nashville - where 19 deaths have been reported so far.

In Wilson County, three people are reported to have died, as well as two people in Davidson County and one in Benton.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the city was "devastated", and urged people to "lend a helping hand" to neighbors.

Around 150 injured people were taken to medical facilities, Mayor Cooper said.

"It is an ongoing search and rescue right now," the state's Emergency Community Relations Officer Maggie Hannan said.

About 44,000 people have been left without power, Nashville Electric said.

Police in the Mt Juliet suburb, east of Nashville, said: "There are gas lines that are leaking, power lines that are on the ground, and multiple emergency responders are responding to those who are injured."

Nashville's Emergency Operations Centre said it had opened a shelter with running water in a farmer's market to help displaced residents.

Source: BBC