WASHINGTON: The governor of the US state of Kentucky has said that more than 70 people were killed by tornadoes, BBC has said.

Andy Beshear said the figure could rise to more than 100 in what he called the worst tornadoes in the state’s history, it said.

Dozens are feared dead inside a candle factory in the town of Mayfield.

At least five people died as tornadoes wreaked havoc in other states, including one in an Amazon warehouse in Illinois.

Mr Beshear has declared a state of emergency in Kentucky.

More than 100 people were inside the Mayfield factory when the tornado hit, he said.

“We believe we’ll lose at least dozens of those individuals,” the governor added.

US President Joe Biden tweeted that he had been briefed about the tornadoes.

(With inputs from BBC)