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Taiwan mudslide death toll rises | Taiwan mudslide death toll rises |
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More than 390 people are believed to have been buried alive in the village worst affected by a massive mudslide caused by Typhoon Morakot. | More than 390 people are believed to have been buried alive in the village worst affected by a massive mudslide caused by Typhoon Morakot. |
This is the first time the government has released a firm estimate on the number of people they believe might have been killed in Hsiaolin village. | This is the first time the government has released a firm estimate on the number of people they believe might have been killed in Hsiaolin village. |
Thousands of people are still stranded by the worst mudslides and floods. | Thousands of people are still stranded by the worst mudslides and floods. |
The typhoon caused Taiwan's worst flooding in 50 years and has resulted in 117 confirmed deaths so far. | The typhoon caused Taiwan's worst flooding in 50 years and has resulted in 117 confirmed deaths so far. |
The floods have washed out roads, snapped bridges and sent low-rise buildings crashing into rivers. | The floods have washed out roads, snapped bridges and sent low-rise buildings crashing into rivers. |
In pictures: Taiwan misery 'Washed away by the typhoon' | In pictures: Taiwan misery 'Washed away by the typhoon' |
Hundreds of survivors have been airlifted from Hsiaolin village, which was hit by a massive mudslide that covered all but two houses, and thousands more from other settlements in central and southern Taiwan. | Hundreds of survivors have been airlifted from Hsiaolin village, which was hit by a massive mudslide that covered all but two houses, and thousands more from other settlements in central and southern Taiwan. |
But Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying he expects the death toll to climb to more than 500 people. | But Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying he expects the death toll to climb to more than 500 people. |
Taiwan's government said it had received offers of help from the international community, including the European Union and the US. See map of affected area | Taiwan's government said it had received offers of help from the international community, including the European Union and the US. See map of affected area |
But it stressed the need for very specific technical assistance - namely large cargo helicopters that can carry at least 22 tons of earth movers or other equipment. | But it stressed the need for very specific technical assistance - namely large cargo helicopters that can carry at least 22 tons of earth movers or other equipment. |
The Taiwanese authorities want to use the giant aircraft to drop large earth diggers and other machinery into remote mountain areas to help re-open roads. | The Taiwanese authorities want to use the giant aircraft to drop large earth diggers and other machinery into remote mountain areas to help re-open roads. |
TYPHOON MORAKOT Deluged Taiwan with at least two metres (80in) of rain over the weekendCaused the country's worst flooding in 50 yearsSome 108 people confirmed dead, hundreds unaccounted forSome 14,000 people airlifted out of affected areas Eyewitness: Pacific storms | TYPHOON MORAKOT Deluged Taiwan with at least two metres (80in) of rain over the weekendCaused the country's worst flooding in 50 yearsSome 108 people confirmed dead, hundreds unaccounted forSome 14,000 people airlifted out of affected areas Eyewitness: Pacific storms |
Relatives of those stranded and of the hundreds feared dead have urged the government to speed up rescue efforts. | Relatives of those stranded and of the hundreds feared dead have urged the government to speed up rescue efforts. |
Many have been waiting for days at the rescue operation centre in Qishan for news of family members missing since the typhoon struck over the weekend. | Many have been waiting for days at the rescue operation centre in Qishan for news of family members missing since the typhoon struck over the weekend. |
Visiting the area earlier this week, President Ma assured anxious relatives that no effort would be spared to find their loved ones, as anger began to rise over the government response. | Visiting the area earlier this week, President Ma assured anxious relatives that no effort would be spared to find their loved ones, as anger began to rise over the government response. |
Nearly 14,000 people have been evacuated by air from the worst-affected areas. Military helicopters have been dropping provisions for others, but continuing rain has hampered their work. | Nearly 14,000 people have been evacuated by air from the worst-affected areas. Military helicopters have been dropping provisions for others, but continuing rain has hampered their work. |
The BBC's Alastair Leithead, at the Qishan rescue base, says thousands of extra Taiwanese troops are trying to push out into remote areas on foot as well as by helicopter. | The BBC's Alastair Leithead, at the Qishan rescue base, says thousands of extra Taiwanese troops are trying to push out into remote areas on foot as well as by helicopter. |
Typhoon Morakot, which lashed Taiwan with at least 200cm (80in) of rain over the weekend, has caused at least $225m (£135m) in agricultural damage and left tens of thousands of homes without power and water. | Typhoon Morakot, which lashed Taiwan with at least 200cm (80in) of rain over the weekend, has caused at least $225m (£135m) in agricultural damage and left tens of thousands of homes without power and water. |
TAIWAN'S WORST-AFFECTED AREAS Qishan - rescue operation centre established here, thousands of troops drafted in to help.Liukuei - 200 people awaiting rescue from hot spring resort, with another 700 survivors in the area.Hsinfa - 32 people reported dead, survivors pulled to safety using ropes thrown across river.Hsiaolin - hundreds feared dead following mudslides the morning after Taiwan's Father's Day.Taoyuan - residents told to run to higher ground as embankment holding back lake gave way. | TAIWAN'S WORST-AFFECTED AREAS Qishan - rescue operation centre established here, thousands of troops drafted in to help.Liukuei - 200 people awaiting rescue from hot spring resort, with another 700 survivors in the area.Hsinfa - 32 people reported dead, survivors pulled to safety using ropes thrown across river.Hsiaolin - hundreds feared dead following mudslides the morning after Taiwan's Father's Day.Taoyuan - residents told to run to higher ground as embankment holding back lake gave way. |
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Are you in the region? Have you been affected by the typhoons and the landslides? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you in the region? Have you been affected by the typhoons and the landslides? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
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