50 FedEx staffers trapped inside tornado-damaged distribution facility in Michigan rescued

By Muhammed Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Rescuers saved 50 FedEx employees trapped inside a tornado-damaged distribution facility in Portage, Michigan state, the Kalamazoo County administration said on Wednesday.

A tornado struck a FedEx distribution facility in Portage on Tuesday evening, trapping staff members inside.

The tornado devastated the FedEx facility and a nearby mobile home park, trapping employees inside.

All employees have been safely evacuated from the FedEx building, Rick Fuller of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office said.

"Our teams have also completed their search and rescue at Pavilion Estates and have confirmed 16 to 20 injuries at this time, with no casualties," he added.

FedEx said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with those affected by the tornado in Portage, Michigan, and we are grateful there were no serious injuries resulting from the damage to our facility.”

In response to the significant damage caused by multiple tornadoes within the county, the Kalamazoo County government declared a local state of emergency.

Previously, the US National Weather Service issued a maximum tornado warning for Michigan.