Death toll from house collapses caused by heavy rains hits 23

BEIJING (AFP) Oct 13, 2003
Twelve more people were confirmed dead Monday from the collapse of houses due to days of heavy rain in China's northwestern Shaanxi province, raising the death toll to 23, the Xinhua news agency said.

The province, which has been hit by rain for five days, had on Sunday reported 11 deaths from collapsed houses in the counties of Shanyang, Heyang and Longxian, Xinhua said.

The newly reported casualties came from Lintong district and the counties of Chengcheng and Baishui, Xinhua said.

Weather forecasts said the rain would stop Monday but was likely return again on Saturday.

Local governments have started an inspection of dangerous houses in rural areas and ordered the evacuation of those living in them, according to Xinhua.

TERRA.WIRE