One dead, several injured in Illinois theater roof collapse

A historic theater in Illinois suffered the rupture and near total collapse of its roof on Friday night following a tornado that struck several US states.

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The Apollo Theater in the small community of Belvidere was performing a concert as it fell prey to the storm, which originated in Arkansas and wreaked havoc in Tennessee, Iowa and Illinois.

The incident caused one death and a dozen injuries, while leaving rubble on cars and the streets of the small municipality.

About 20 ambulances were deployed to the scene following the incident, according to FOX 32.

People could be seen clearing the scene of the tragedy in an attempt to find people under the rubble.

First responders attended to people in the building.

The incident happened thirty minutes after the start of the concert.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said his administration was monitoring the situation “closely.” Winds from the storm were estimated at 144 km/h.


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