08/10/2013 10:50
Typhoon Fitow kills five in China
Powerful Typhoon Fitow has killed at least five people in China, with four others missing, the BBC reported, citing local media.
The tropical cyclone hit China's eastern coast early on Monday, with winds of up to 151km/h (93mph).
The storm flattened houses, flooded villages and farms, and affected more than 4.5m people, officials said.
It has caused economic losses of more than 21bn yuan ($3.4bn; £2.1bn), officials in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces said.
Two people died in Wenzhou, in Zhejiang province, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
Three people in Ruian, also in Zhejiang, died from electric shocks, the agency added.
Rescue operations were underway, with footage on state television showing stranded residents being picked up by speed boats.