Severe hailstorm kills 17, injures 150 in China

April 18, 2011 – BEIJING – Seventeen people have been killed, more than 150 injured and many millions affected by strong storms in southern China. Driving rain, gales and hailstorms have caused havoc in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. China Central Television has already estimated economic losses of around $8 million. The strong storms dumped more than 50 millimetres of rain on China’s industrial belt known as the “factory of the world”. Some of the injured were hit by collapsed walls and falling objects. Guangdong provincial government has dispatched a disaster relief team to examine the worst-hit areas. Emergency services are now focusing on inspecting damaged buildings to make sure they are safe. –ABC News.au

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