A TORNADO and hailstorm struck near a
city in eastern China on Thursday, killing
at least 98 people as it swept over its
outskirts, destroying buildings, smashing
trees and flipping vehicles on their roofs.
Local media reports said large numbers
of people were injured and roads were
blocked. Rescuers in the city searched
Friday for survivors.
The tornado hit a densely populated area
of farms and factories Thursday near the
city of Yancheng in Jiangsu province,
about 800 kilometers (500 miles) south of
Beijing.
Nearly 500 people were injured, 200 of
them critically, the official Xinhua News
Agency reported. Roads were blocked
with trees, downed power lines and other
debris.
them critically, the official Xinhua News
Agency reported. Roads were blocked
with trees, downed power lines and other
debris.
Heavy rain and the possibility of further
hailstorms and more tornadoes
complicated rescue efforts, state
broadcaster CCTV reported.
Southern and eastern China have
experienced weeks of torrential rain and
storms that have caused widespread
flooding and a number of casualties.
