Jeff Bezos has been heavily criticized in the aftermath of the tornado that destroyed an Amazon warehouse in Illinois, taking the lives of at least six workers inside.
The news from Edwardsville is tragic. We’re heartbroken over the loss of our teammates there, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones.
All of Edwardsville should know that the Amazon team is committed to supporting them and will be by their side through this crisis. We extend our fullest gratitude to all the incredible first responders who have worked so tirelessly at the site.
(2/2) All of Edwardsville should know that the Amazon team is committed to supporting them and will be by their side through this crisis. We extend our fullest gratitude to all the incredible first responders who have worked so tirelessly at the site.
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) December 12, 2021
Several warehouse employees have spoken out about Amazon’s controversial cell phone ban in the wake of the tragedy.
person, who works at an Amazon facility in Illinois, told Bloomberg.
‘After these deaths, there is no way in hell I am relying on Amazon to keep me safe, If they institute the no cell phone policy, I am resigning.’
Bezos himself has been criticized for celebrating a space trip after the tragedy.
SHAME ON JEFF BEZOS!!! He was in West TEXAS today! His employees lives were lost! He could have taken a 1 1/2 hour flight to St Louis which is only a 30-minute drive from the airport to visit his poorly constructed climate change Amazon warehouse that was destroyed by a tornado!
— Bella (@bellausa17) December 11, 2021
The girlfriend of one of the victims, Larry Virden, 46, says he wasn’t allowed to leave the warehouse during the storm.
“I got text messages from him. He always tells me when he is filling up the Amazon truck when he is getting ready to go back … I was like ‘OK, I love you.’ He’s like, ‘well Amazon won’t let me leave until after the storm blows over,’”
Rest in peace to those who lost their lives.
