(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) TOKYO, June 24 (KUNA) -- Death toll of the tornado and hailstorms in east China''s Jiangsu Province has climbed to 98, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Friday citing local rescue headquarters. The reports said about 800 people were injured.
Intense downpours, hailstorms and the worst tornado in decades battered parts of Yancheng City close to the eastern coast of China Thursday afternoon, destroying buildings, trees, vehicles and electricity poles. Search for the people through the debris has been completed, according to the report.
Cleaning efforts are underway. More than 1,300 police officers have been called in to assist with the rescue efforts and providing help to the displaced residents. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue efforts and the prioritization of life-saving measures.
Tornados occasionally hit eastern and southern China during the summer, but rarely with the scale of damage like this one in Yancheng. A similar disaster hit the city in 1966. (end) mk.gta