Deadly collapse at Amazon warehouse puts spotlight on phone ban

Recovery operations continue after the partial collapse of an Amazon Fulfillment Center in Edwardsville, Illinois on Dec 12, 2021. The facility was damaged by a tornado on Dec 10, 2021. The confirmed number of fatalities has been raised from two to six people. — AFP

An Amazon.com Inc warehouse collapse on the night of Dec 10 that killed at least six people has amplified concerns among its blue collar workforce about the return of the Internet retailer’s mobile phone ban in work areas.

The warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, near St. Louis, was reduced to rubble when a string of tornadoes ripped through six US states, leaving a trail of destruction that stretched more than 200 miles. Emergency responders expect recovery efforts to continue into next week.