Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Taiwan flood death toll could top 500: president
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Taiwan flood death toll could top 500: president
AFP - Saturday, August 15
CHISHAN, Taiwan (AFP) - - Rescuers struggled Friday to save thousands trapped in villages across southern and central Taiwan as the island's embattled leader warned the flood's death toll could jump to 500.
ADVERTISEMENT
More than 50,000 troops fought against time, crossing raging rivers and fallen bridges to reach victims, many of whom have been without food and water since Typhoon Morakot struck nearly a week ago.
President Ma Ying-jeou -- accused of bungling the government's response to the disaster -- warned the island-wide death toll of 118 would likely increase more than fourfold.
"Taiwan's death toll could rise to more than 500," he told a national security meeting, saying 380 people were feared buried by mudslides in Hsiaolin village.
The typhoon's estimated economic impact grew to 110 billion Taiwan dollars (3.4 billion US dollars), including destroyed homes, crops and infrastructure, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan told reporters on Friday.
The cabinet has promised a special budget to help cover the typhoon damage.
As anger mounted, Ma vowed the whole nation would mobilise to help the victims. "The government will overcome all obstacles to accomplish the mission," he said.
Hong Kong actor Andy Lau and Chinese action star Jet Li joined other celebrities in answering phones on two televised fundraisers for typhoon victims on Friday night that raised more than 432 million Taiwan dollars (13 million US dollars) in the first four hours.
The typhoon dumped more than three metres (120 inches) of rain, triggering floods and mudslides which tore through houses and buildings, ripped up roads and smashed bridges.
Ma's administration has been criticised for being too slow to recognise the magnitude of the crisis in which mudslides cut off hundreds of villages, leaving them only accessible by air.
Dozens of helicopters continued to criss-cross mountains and ravines, delivering food and water, and airlifting survivors.
Military helicopters airlifted 1,943 people to safety during 115 flights in the past week, the military said.
In Meilang village, Kaohsiung County, two desperate young men waved a large yellow banner which said "Government please help the people in Meilang and Changshan" every time a helicopter hovered above them.
One of them, surnamed Hsieh, said he left his work to return to his home village to find 270 villagers who had been missing for a week.
"The mountain here is shaking, it is going to collapse," he told AFP, asking why rescue teams had neglected their villages.
"Taiwan is cursed. This has never happened before."
The island's southeastern Taitung County government estimated that nearly 3,700 people in its townships were still cut off Friday morning.
Meanwhile, the emergency operation centre in central Chiayi county said that it believed nearly 9,000 people remained stranded there.
And in Kaohsiung, the hardest-hit county where most of the rescue missions are concentrated, troops were evacuating 2,000 more people, county magistrate Yang Chiu-hsing told AFP.
Rescue workers said they had to risk their lives wading through rivers to deliver relief items such as biscuits, canned food and instant noodles.
In Hsinfa village, a hot-spring resort where bodies were found buried by mudslides, volunteer rescuers had to snake through some 18 kilometres (10.5 miles) of roads ravaged by flash floods and three half-blocked tunnels.
But they said a toppled bridge was still preventing them from getting relief supplies to trapped victims.
"This is of course no easy task," said Liang Tien-tsai, a former chief of Hsinfa.
"But we have to get the things done as quickly as possible, as there are still around 300 villagers isolated by mud and they badly need help."
Another villager there complained the government's rescue work was slow and insufficient.
"The military should have sent helicopters here," Lin Chin-fa, 56.
Morakot was the worst-ever typhoon to strike Taiwan, the president said on Friday, saying the scale of the damage was more severe than a 1959 typhoon that killed 667 people and left around 1,000 missing.
The deadliest natural disaster in the island's history is a 7.6-magnitude quake that claimed around 2,400 lives in September 1999.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Poll shows Karzai leading ahead of Afghan electionAP - Saturday, August 15
Bill Clinton ex-aide says Kim "fully engaged" in talksReuters - Saturday, August 15
US senator arrives Myanmar for talks with leadersAP - Saturday, August 15
Taiwan's president criticized for typhoon responseAP - Saturday, August 15
Suicide attack kills 1 Afghan soldier in the southAP - Saturday, August 15
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Burglars steal $15m from Saudi princess
Millions of salmon fail to turn up in Canada
US study uncovers powerful anti-cancer compound
Sweden's Princess Madeleine to marry: palace
Rare flowering of Chinese tree in Belgium
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 15 August 2009 Vote leaders take campaigns across Afghanistan
Merkel, Medvedev tout 'strategic' economic cooperation
U.S. business welcomes Obama export control review
US industrial output rebounds, consumer prices flat
Spain's economy shrinks, bucking eurozone trend
Hundreds mourn Kennedy sister at funeral
Russia says Cape Verde ship sighting untrue
| International
|
World faces growing health inequalities: WHO
US consumer inflation in steepest drop since 1950
Thirteen killed in Hamas, pro-al Qaeda group clashes
| International
|
World's oldest schoolboy dies aged 90 in Kenya
| International
|
Google users search more, very loyal: comScore
| Technology
|
Taiwan's president criticized for typhoon response
Suicide attack kills 1 Afghan soldier in the south
Taiwan flood death toll could top 500: president
Court: Mich. prison OK to stop man's kosher meals
Afghan election an early test of Obama's war plan
Lead poisoning sickens 600 kids in China
Shriver laid to rest; Sen. Kennedy misses funeral
China cracks down on drunken driving after outcry
Obama takes healthcare plan to conservative West
5 who killed niece in exorcism avoid jail in NZ
18 years later: 1st Gulf War casualty laid to rest
China Merchants Bank plans $2.6 bln rights issue
Oops! Crew tears out remnants of old NY river fort
3 bombs in Baluchistan kill 1, wound 18
Maine town wins fight to save its curbside mailbox
Mourners gather in Pa. for 3 dead in plane crash
Taiwan president says typhoon has killed about 500
Athiest bus ads create free speech debate in Iowa
China objects to Philippine oil project
Polish village prays for Madonna to visit
| Entertainment
|
Aerosmith cancels troubled tour after Tyler injury
| Entertainment
|
Time Traveler looks to cash in on popular book
| Entertainment
|
Bandslam star Aly Michalka sees teen years fading
| Entertainment
|
Aerosmith cancels troubled tour after Tyler injury
New Orleans rapper sentenced to life in prison
Jackson had long history with estate executor
Arrest warrant issued in Mass. for Bobby Brown
Revered guitar player-inventor Les Paul dead at 94
US videogame sales sink for fifth consecutive month: NPD
Reality TV villain Omarosa entering a seminary
Blast rocks Afghan capital
Cargo ship that vanished spotted off Cape Verde islands
Taliban claim blast in Afghan capital
| International
|
Google users loyal: comScore
Mud-slinging on Afghan vote trail
US building tech tools to foil online censors
No normal ties with Ukraine under current leaders: Medvedev
Taiwan seeks foreign aid after typhoon catastrophe
| International
|
Gaza clashes between Hamas, Islamist radicals kill 13
Merkel, Medvedev tout 'strategic' economic cooperation
Iraqi journalists protest government pressure
Iran elections-Jackson death videos spur online viewing
Nineteen killed in Mexico prison riot
| International
|
BetOnSports founder pleads guilty in U.S. court
Google users search more, very loyal: comScore
Three killed in suicide blast in Pakistan's Swat
| International
|
Britain suspends Turks and Caicos government
| International
|
Let them eat cake at Gulag city birthday party
| International
|
South Korea's Lee seeks arms cut deal with North
| International
|
Colonial BancGroup, 4 other banks shut down
SKorea's Lee renews aid offer to NKorea
Palace assault trial ends in acquittals
Pakistan lifts tribal area political activity ban
Grad student imprisoned in Iran returns to US
Car bomb explodes at NATO headquarters in Kabul
Controller bantering on phone before crash
Taiwan seeks foreign aid after typhoon catastrophe
Suspect in Calif. toll plaza killings in court
Huge blast at NATO headquarters rocks Kabul
Leaked Radiohead song has fans on alert for new EP
| Technology
|
Huge blast rocks Afghan capital
US Senator Webb to meet Myanmar's junta leader
BetOnSports founder pleads guilty in U.S. court
| Technology
|
Police clash with steel workers in China: report
U2's Bono pays tribute to Eunice Kennedy Shriver
South Korea's Lee seeks arms cut deal with North
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 707
Event on Abu Ghraib soldier canceled over threats
NY police interview husband of wrong-way driver
Japan voices remorse for WWII, ex-premiers visit shrine
Kate Winslet goes from Oscar win to TV series
Hollywood sees win in China WTO case as first step
Pakistani c.bank buys 31.6 bln rupees of govt paper
Summary: WTO rules on China, but piracy persists
Malaysia 'well-positioned' to weather global crisis: IMF
Hilary Duff brings her charity work to Colombia
Aerosmith cuts short US tour due to Tyler's injury
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Miami rapper Pitbull ready for "Rebelution"
Police respond to Jon & Kate's house for argument
MC Hammer plans companion piece for 1990 hit album
Seinfeld to be first guest on new Jay Leno show
| Entertainment
|
Juanes gets heat for playing peace concert in Cuba
40 years later, Woodstock a thriving business
| Entertainment
|
Leaked Radiohead song has fans on alert for new EP
| Entertainment
|
Arrest warrant issued for Bobby Brown
Arrest warrant issued for Bobby Brown
| Entertainment
|
Investor alleges she was Madoff's 20-year mistress
Kelly Clarkson and LeBron James in "get schooled"
Kelly Clarkson and LeBron James in get schooled
| Entertainment
|
MC Hammer plans companion piece for 1990 hit album
| Entertainment
|
Hollywood sees win in China WTO case as first step
| Entertainment
|
Miami rapper Pitbull ready for Rebelution
| Entertainment
|
U.S. senator meets Suu Kyi, Myanmar junta leader
| International
|
Islamist leader among 22 killed in Gaza fighting
Pre-vote bomb at Kabul NATO base kills seven Afghans
Hamas hits Qaeda allies in Gaza, over 20 dead
| International
|
Iran detainees tortured, beaten to death: Karroubi
Islamist leader among 24 killed in Gaza fighting
Blast at NATO base in Kabul, three dead: official
Ransom demand: lost ship has shades of le Carre
| International
|
Chavez visits Fidel Castro for 83rd birthday
| International
|
Iran's leader appoints new judiciary chief: report
| International
|
South Korea's Lee seeks arms cut deal with North
| International
|
Madagascar's Rajoelina says only he can lead transition
| International
|
Colombia, US finalize deal on military bases
US senator meets Myanmar's democracy leader
Obama touts health care reform
Report says Bollywood icon detained at US airport
Catholic leaders urge Sri Lankan Tamils' release
Thai elephant hurt by mine gets artificial leg
Campaign tactics back as Obama presses health care
Steel workers in China protest plant purchase
Bowing to typhoon anger, Taiwan leader says sorry
AP NewsAlert
Facebook to face off with new Web rivals
| Technology
|
US senator meets Myanmar ruler, Suu Kyi
U.S. senator meets Suu Kyi, Myanmar junta leader
7 die, 91 wounded in blast near NATO HQ in Kabul
Parched parts of California scorched by wildfires
Philippines to ramp up fight against militants
S.Korean president calls for arms talks with North
Pakistan cuts policy rate by 100 bps to 13 pct
China to start cutting carbon emissions in 2050: FT
Bollywood star held in U.S. airport, fans outraged
| Entertainment
|
40 years later, Woodstock a thriving business
Sex and blood and MozartDon Giovanni
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights