Kentucky tornadoes: Hopes rise that death toll could be lower than feared

Governor Andy Beshear had originally said more than 100 people were feared dead, but later said the estimate could be wrong

US president Joe Biden declared a major federal disaster in Kentucky after a swarm of deadly tornadoes hit the state on Friday, as representatives of a candle factory destroyed by a twister said far fewer people may have died than previously feared.

Biden had previously declared the storms a federal emergency and the move to designate the storms a federal disaster paves the way for additional aid, as thousands face housing, food, water and power shortages.