Nine die in violent US storms

Nine people were killed when violent thunderstorms ripped through three states overnight, US officials said today.

Arkansas Department of Emergency Management spokesman Tommy Jackson said at least one person died when a tornado ripped through the tiny community of Denning in Franklin County early today.

Another person died when storms hit neighbouring Johnson County.

There were no immediate details about either death.

Violent storms also killed at least five people in Oklahoma and two in Kansas.

The storms came just two days after a massive tornado tore through the south-west Missouri town of Joplin and killed 122 people.