Washington - Striking unusually early in the season, a series of tornadoes tore through the south-western US state of Oklahoma Tuesday night, killing eight, according to local media reports.

The deaths were all in the town of Lone Grove. A single tornado cut an 800-metre swath through the town, destroying homes and trailers. At least 50 people were seriously injured and numerous houses were torn off their foundations.

Police told The Oklahoman newspaper that the death toll could rise. The search for bodies was broken off for safety reasons Tuesday night and set to resume early Wednesday.

Oklahoma City was also hit by a tornado, which damaged dozens of buildings and left three injured.

Tornadoes were also reported in other parts of the country, including the states of Arkansas and Texas. (dpa)