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'Hundreds lost' in Taiwan typhoon 'Hundreds lost' in Taiwan typhoon
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of people are feared dead in Taiwan after Typhoon Morakot triggered a mudslide that buried an entire village on the south-west coast.Hundreds of people are feared dead in Taiwan after Typhoon Morakot triggered a mudslide that buried an entire village on the south-west coast.
Officials said about 600-800 people are missing in Shiao Lin village after part of the mountain collapsed on sleeping villagers' homes on Monday morning.Officials said about 600-800 people are missing in Shiao Lin village after part of the mountain collapsed on sleeping villagers' homes on Monday morning.
Most of the dead are thought to be the elderly and children.Most of the dead are thought to be the elderly and children.
Elsewhere in Taiwan, the number of confirmed deaths is 37, with 35 injured and 52 missing, officials said.Elsewhere in Taiwan, the number of confirmed deaths is 37, with 35 injured and 52 missing, officials said.
Typhoon Morakot dropped some 2m (80in) of rain on Taiwan this weekend, causing the worst flooding in decades.Typhoon Morakot dropped some 2m (80in) of rain on Taiwan this weekend, causing the worst flooding in decades.
See map of storms in East Asia See map of storms in East Asia
The typhoon is now battering southern China, forcing the evacuation of a million people from their homes. Six deaths have been reported there. Morakot weakened to a tropical storm early Monday and is now lashing south-eastern China.
In Japan, Typhoon Etau has set off flash floods and landslides that have killed at least 12 people. A million people have been evacuated from their homes in China and six deaths have been reported - including four in Zhejiang province, and two others in Fujian and Jiangxi provinces.
Trapped State news agency Xinhua said hundreds of villages and towns had been flooded and more than 2,000 houses and buildings had collapsed.
In Japan, Typhoon Etau - packing winds of up to 108km (67 miles) an hour - has set off flash floods and landslides that have killed at least 12 people.
It is forecast to hit the Tokyo area on Tuesday, amid nationwide warnings of heavy rain and landslides.
Buried village
Taiwanese television earlier reported that about 200 homes in Shiao Lin village were buried by mud.Taiwanese television earlier reported that about 200 homes in Shiao Lin village were buried by mud.
Rescue efforts have been complicated as many of the roads leading to Shiao Lin have been washed away and the unstable ground makes it difficult for rescue helicopters to reach the area.
"I could hardly believe my eyes," rescuer Su Shen-tsun told AFP news agency.
"The whole village disappeared and even roofs of the houses could not be seen."
The typhoon also cut power and water supplies, brought down bridges and railway lines, and cut telephone communications.
Animated guide: Typhoons In pictures: Storms hit East Asia Eyewitness: Pacific storms Animated guide: Typhoons In pictures: Storms hit East Asia Eyewitness: Pacific storms
Shiao Lin is home to 1,300 residents, but most working-age people were thought to be away in the nearby cities.
The BBC's Cindy Sui, in Cishan village, some 40km (25 miles) away, says about 50 people had been rescued and another 150 found alive in another part of the village.The BBC's Cindy Sui, in Cishan village, some 40km (25 miles) away, says about 50 people had been rescued and another 150 found alive in another part of the village.
Our correspondent says many of those rescued said their family members were still trapped inside.Our correspondent says many of those rescued said their family members were still trapped inside.
Rescue efforts have been complicated as many of the roads leading to Shiao Lin have been washed away and the unstable ground makes it difficult for rescue helicopters to reach the area. Under grey skies, military helicopters were dropping food to those below and looking for survivors.
In another incident in Taiwan, an entire hotel - empty at the time - collapsed into the raging waters. In another incident in south-eastern Taiwan, an entire six-storey hotel - empty at the time - collapsed into the raging waters.
Morakot has also contributed to heavy rains in the Philippines. At least 10 people were killed in flooding and landslides in the north of the country last week. Before ploughing into Taiwan, Morakot dumped heavy rains in the north of the Philippines, killing at least 22 people last week.
Typhoons and tropical storms are frequent in the region between July and September.Typhoons and tropical storms are frequent in the region between July and September.
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Are you in the Western Pacific region? How have Typhoon Morakot and Typhoon Etau affected you? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in the Western Pacific region? How have Typhoon Morakot and Typhoon Etau affected you? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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