SENECA, Missouri: A tornado that spun across the Oklahoma-Missouri border killed several people as severe storms raked the central part of the country, taking at least 16 lives, mangling buildings and trapping people in rubble in the storm-weary region.

At least 10 people were killed after severe storms spawned tornadoes and high winds across sections of southwestern Missouri, the State Emergency Management Agency said.

At least six people were killed as the tornado flattened the northeastern Oklahoma town of Picher.

The number of injuries across the area was not immediately available.