Death Toll Rises to 6 at DLI4 Amazon Delivery Station in Edwardsville, Illinois

Two people died after part of the Amazon warehouse collapsed in Edwardsville when storms hit the west side of Edwardsville, Illinois Friday night, December 10, 2021. YouTube Tips ⓘ

The death toll at Amazon Delivery Station DLI4 rose to 6 on Saturday afternoon, December 11, 2021 after tornado activity struck the large warehouse facility in southwest Edwardsville, located about 12 miles northeast of downtown St. Louis in Missouri. An EF-3 tornado approaching from the west collapsed approximately 150 yards of the warehouse along the length of the building. The warehouse is about 580 feet wide and 1000 feet long (193 yards x 333 yards). The operation changed from a rescue to a recovery operation early Saturday afternoon.

Immediately after the collapse the warehouse was still charged with electricity, water mains were broken with water rushing into the building, natural gas was leaking into the building, and hazardous debris was hanging overhead in the collapsed structure. Fire Chief Whiteford said there is no basement in the facility. Initially victims were found in two locations. One injured victim was airlifted to a medical center. During the prepared statement, a count of injured or missing was not provided.

Forty-five people were able to evacuate safely from the warehouse, according to Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford speaking at a press conference Saturday afternoon. One injured Gov. JB Pritzker said he was tremendously grateful to state and local teams working through the night to save lives. Gov. Pritzker confirmed that six people lost their lives in the Amazon warehouse. Gov. Pritzker recognized local and mutual aid law enforcement, firefighters and EMS agencies that worked to respond to the emergency. Gov. Pritzker recognized each agency, including Edwardsville Fire Department, Edwardsville Police Department, rescue teams from St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Clair County, Madison County, the Illinois State Police, and others. Pritzker asked every Illinoisan to take a moment to offer prayer, especially to the Edwardsville and Pontoon Beach communities.

A unification center was set up in the Pontoon Beach community southwest of Edwardsville.

Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) and Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford held a press briefing Saturday afternoon confirming fatalities at an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, IL, and describing rescue and recovery operations since tornado activity destroyed 150 yards of a large Amazon warehouse. YouTube Tips ⓘ

‘It was like a war zone’: At least 6 killed inside Illinois Amazon warehouse. FOX Weather multimedia journalist Brandy Campbell spoke to an employee who was supposed to work later the night of the tornado. YouTube Tips ⓘ

According to Edwardsville Police Department, a tornado struck western Edwardsville, Illinois at 8:33 p.m. local time, causing catastrophic damage to a significant portion of an Amazon warehouse at 3077 Gateway Commerce Center Drive South with confirmed fatalities. The address marks the location of the DLI4 Amazon Delivery Station. Initially there was some confusion on social media regarding which location was damaged, as there are several Amazon facilities in the area — Amazon STL4 (fulfillment center) and DLI5 (delivery station) in Pontoon Beach south of the other nearby Amazon facilities.

The DLI4 Amazon Delivery Station is located about 2.5 miles southwest of the center of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus.

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