Tornado death toll hits seven in 'war zone'

The death toll from a tornado in the US has risen to at least seven after storms unleashed a "war zone" of destruction in north-west Ohio.

The tornado destroyed dozens of homes and an emergency services building, and collapsed a cinema roof in Illinois and ripped siding off a building at a Michigan nuclear plant, forcing a shutdown.

But the worst was largely reserved for a seven-mile strip south east of Toledo now littered with wrecked vehicles, splintered wood and family possessions.

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The tornado ripped the roof and back wall off Lake High School's gymnasium several hours before the graduation ceremony was supposed to begin.

Two buses were tossed on their sides and another was thrown about 50 yards, landing on its top.

Lake Township Police Chief Mark Hummer flew over the damaged area and said at least 50 homes were destroyed and another 50 severely damaged, as well as six commercial buildings. The storm fell over an area of farm fields and light industry, narrowly missing heavily populated suburbs.

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