Death toll from Beijing rainstorm climbs to 78

The death toll from rain-triggered disasters and accidents in Beijing on July 21 has climbed to 78 as one more body was recovered, the Beijing flood control and drought relief headquarters said Saturday.

The victim found in the worst-hit suburban Fangshan district in southwestern Beijing, where 43 died, was identified as Li Ruixin, a 65-year-old native of Hebei province, said Liu Hongwei, a spokesman for the headquarters.

Of the 78 victims, 10 remained to be identified, Liu said.

The severe landslides and flash floods complicated the search for missing people as well as the victims' identification, but the work never stopped, the official said.

The Beijing city government substantially raised the death toll to 77 from 37 on the night of July 26, releasing their names, ages and reasons of death, following public outrage over the government's lack of transparency in tackling the disaster and also its insufficient weather alert and disaster rescue.

Beijing was battered by the heaviest rain in six decades on July 21. Average precipitation hit 170 mm, while a township in the suburban district of Fangshan recorded 460 mm of rain.

Sunday 5 August 2012

 http://www.china.org.cn/china/2012-08/05/content_26132213.htm