CHINA / Regional

Bilis death toll hits 482 in China
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-07-21 19:21

Natural disasters triggered by tropical storm Bilis has killed 482 people in China as central Hunan Province reported a sudden rise of death toll Friday afternoon.

Provincial authorities said 346 people died in floods caused by Bilis in Hunan while 89 others remain missing.

The sharp increase from previously reported 92 in Hunan raised the country's death toll to 482, with 63 confirmed dead in Guangdong Province, 30 in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and 43 in Fujian Province.