Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) - A storm lasting over 10 hours has brought death and destruction in the main streets of Beijing, rivers have flooded the underground tunnels and subways, causing the death of several people. This is the most intense cataclysm in the past 60 years in the Chinese capital which now lives in chaos, between submerged roads, roofs destroyed and 80 000 people isolated in the main airport in Beijing where more than 500 flights have been canceled. As reported by Xinhua News Agency, the last official report speaks of 37 deaths. Among these, 25 have drowned due to flooding in some parts of the city, where the water has reached 4 meters. 6 more people have died under the rubble of their homes destroyed by torrential rains, others struck by thunder and lightning. Many of the victims remained stuck in the traffic. According to another statement from the National Chinese Radio, the city has an average of 170 mm of torrential rain, but in the district of Fangshan, west of Beijing, 460 was registered. The forecast says more heavy rain in the northeast of the country is expected, where already in recent days at least 10 people have died. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 24/7/2012)
