$1.6 b US Powerball jackpot to be split between three winning tickets

Host Sam Arlen speaks as the winning Powerball numbers are shown after being drawn at the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee, Florida January 13, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]

LOS ANGELES - The winners of the record $1.6 billion US Powerball jackpot had yet to emerge early on Thursday, with lottery officials saying the massive prize will be split between ticket holders in three states - Tennessee, California and Florida.

Each of the three winning tickets is worth $528.8 million, the California Lottery said. The winning numbers were 08 27 34 04 19 and Powerball 10.

The identities of the winners was not yet known and lottery officials have not said whether anyone has come forward to claim their share of the money.

One ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Chino Hills, east of Los Angeles, California Lottery officials said. Two other winning tickets were sold at locations in Tennessee and Florida, but the cities have not been revealed.

The drawing late Wednesday for the $1.586 billion jackpot was the largest-ever lottery prize in North America. The odds of picking the correct combination were 1 in 292 million.

Crowds descended on the California store after word emerged it had sold a winning ticket, with excited customers snapping pictures and congratulating the sales associate. The store will receive a $1-million bonus, lottery officials said.