Relief effort begins as tornado death toll rises to 98

Emergency workers have mounted a massive relief operation as the death toll from a tornado in East China climbed to 98, with 846 people injured.

The tornado, which was accompanied by hailstorms and downpours, hit densely populated areas of Yancheng, Jiangsu province on Thursday. In its path of destruction, the tornado turned buildings to rubble, toppled trees and flipped vehicles onto their roofs.

More than 8,600 houses, two elementary schools and eight factory buildings were damaged or destroyed, according to the provincial government.