Netanyahu offers prayers for tornado victims

In the wake of the huge, deadly tornado that tore through Moore, Oklahoma, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter of condolence Tuesday to US President Barack Obama, offering prayers for the victims.

The prime minister’s brief letter read in full: “On behalf of the government and people of Israel, I offer our heartfelt condolences to you and to the people of the United States on the massive tornado that struck Oklahoma and exacted such a horrific toll in human life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy and their families at this difficult time.”

The twister flattened entire neighborhoods and destroyed an elementary school with a direct blow, as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph (320 kph). At least 51 people were killed, including at least 20 children, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.

Amy Elliot, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office, said officials warned there could be as many as 40 more fatalities from the deadly tornado.

The storm laid waste to scores of buildings in Moore, a community of 41,000 people about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Oklahoma City. Block after block lay in ruins. Homes were crushed into piles of broken wood. Cars and trucks were left crumpled on the roadside. Rescuers launched a desperate rescue effort at the elementary school, pulling children from heaps of debris and carrying them to a triage center.

The National Weather Service estimated that the tornado reached up to a half-mile wide and was an EF-4 on the enhanced five-point Fujita scale, the second most powerful type of twister.

More than 120 people were treated at hospitals, including about 50 children, as search-and-rescue efforts continued throughout the night.