23 May 2013

Oklahoma mayor to push for law on shelters

9:54 am on 23 May 2013

The mayor of the town devastated by Tuesday's powerful tornado in the US state of Oklahoma has vowed to push for a new law on shelters.

The death toll stands at 24 after the twister ripped through Moore, on the outskirts of Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma medical examiner's office said 10 of those who died were children. Officials are still searching for six adults not yet been accounted for.

The mayor, Glenn Lewis, says he will propose a law in the next few days requiring a storm shelter or safe room in all single- and multi-family homes.

Several of the children killed during the storm were in a school that did not have a safe room. However there was no announcement from Mr Lewis on the use or construction of safe rooms in schools, the BBC reports

Volunteers are engaged in a recovery mission in the town, delivering supplies and helping people find accommodation.