US: Tornado kills at least 9 in Tennessee state

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - At least nine people have died overnight in the U.S. state of Tennessee as a result of heavy storms, according to local reports.

"#UPDATE: It appears at least *9* people have died in Middle Tennessee as a result of overnight storms," Josh Breslow, a journalist with local WKRN-TV from Nashville, Tennessee, said Tuesday on Twitter.

"Metro police say 2 dead in East Nashville, Benton County sheriff says 1 dead, and TEMA [The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency] reports 4 dead in Putnam County & 2 dead in Wilson County," Breslow added.

TEMA said in a statement that starting on Monday a line of severe storms passed through Tennessee and has caused "major damage" to buildings, roads, bridges, utilities and businesses in several counties.

Tornado damage has been reported throughout West and Middle Tennessee, including downtown Nashville, it added.

The emergency agency confirmed that multiple fatalities have been reported without sharing further information and added the number of injuries is unknown.