Iowa tornado kills seven people, including two children

Four also injured after deadliest storm since 2008 touched down in area south-west of state capital Des Moines

Seven people were killed Saturday, including two children under the age of five, when a tornado swept through central Iowa, damaging buildings and knocking down trees and power lines, in the deadliest storm to hit the state since 2008, authorities said.

Emergency management officials in Madison county said four were injured in addition to those killed when the tornado touched down in the area south-west of state capital Des Moines at about 4.30pm. Among those killed were children and adults.