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63 dead, 61 missing in Taiwan flooding: Govt
At least 63 people were killed and 61 others were missing after floods triggered by Typhoon Morakot ravaged Taiwan over the weekend, the government said on Wednesday.
At least 63 people were killed and 61 others were missing after floods triggered by Typhoon Morakot ravaged Taiwan over the weekend, the government said on Wednesday.
The missing included three rescue personnel on board a helicopter that crashed into a river in heavy fog, officials said.
Taiwan's military on Wednesday began a helicopter rescue of more than 700 people who were found alive in three villages flattened by landslides, a senior military officer told AFP.
"We have found around 700 people alive in three villages on Tuesday night and 26 more on Wednesday morning. We are deploying 25 helicopters to evacuate them," said Major-General Richard Hu.
At least 35 people were injured as the typhoon lashed the island with a record three metres (118 inches) of rain, submerging houses, streets and destroying bridges.
