Taiwan flood death toll: 19

2008-07-20 14:40

Taipei - Taiwanese officials say the death toll from flash floods triggered by Tropical Storm Kalmaegi has climbed to 19.

The disaster relief centre says six other people remain missing.

The storm lashed southern Taiwan with torrential rains Friday, triggering flash floods and landslides.

The centre raised the death toll Sunday from 13 to 19. It says mudslides buried two houses in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, killing seven people. Most other victims were washed away by rampaging waters.

Tropical storms often hit Taiwan between July and September. Kalmaegi, the Korean word for sea gull, was the first storm to hit the island this year.

- AP