Typhoon death toll in Vietnam nears 50

HANOI, Vietnam - A powerful typhoon that rocked Vietnam has killed at least 49 people, left more than a dozen missing and caused extensive damage to the country's south-central region ahead of a meeting that will draw leaders from around the world, disaster officials said on Monday.

Authorities said that widespread flooding was reported in the region and that more than 116,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged. In addition to the dead, 27 people are missing, including nine crew members of cargo ships that sank off the coast of Khanh Hoa province.

Typhoon Damrey hit on Saturday and had already dissipated, but the disaster agency said flooding may get worse as heavy rain was forecast for the region. The area hit includes Danang, which is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting later this week that will be by President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders.