Mississippi tornado kills 4, traps others: agency

(Reuters) - Search and rescue teams early on Saturday looked for people trapped in their homes in southern Mississippi after a strong tornado touched down, killing at least four people, state officials said.

The tornado rolled through and caused extensive damage in Hattiesburg and parts of Lamar and Perry counties at about 3:45 a.m. local time, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said in a statement.

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At least four people were confirmed dead, the City of Hattiesburg announced on its social media accounts.

Multiple people were trapped in their houses, Glen Moore, the director of Forrest County Emergency Management, told a local ABC news affiliate.

The tornado destroyed some homes, Moore said.

The storm downed power lines and forced the closing of Interstate 59 north of Hattiesburg, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Andrew Bolton)