Obama pledges to stand by tornado-hit town

JOPLIN: President Barack Obama has promised residents of this disaster-hit Midwestern town to stand by them "every step of the way" as he payed tribute to victims of one of deadliest tornadoes in US history.

The massive tornado, which killed 142 people in this town of 50,000, was one of the worst ever in the United States.

Officials said late Sunday that at least 43 people remained missing, down from a list of 232 missing persons that was released on May 26.

The president's motorcade drove through some of the hardest-hit areas, where many homes had been destroyed by the 200 miles per hour (300 kilometer per hour) winds. (APP)