CHANGSHA - Three people have been confirmed dead and about 30 others injured by a tornado that struck Central China's Hunan province before dawn on Wednesday.

The tornado passed through Daoxian county of Hunan's Yongzhou city at about 3 am, causing many casualties in the inland region, said the Yongzhou city government's press office.

The exact number of casualties and other losses are still under further investigation.

Rescuers have rushed to the scene.