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Hundreds Rescued from Taiwan Mudslides

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2009 1:22 AM CDT

(Newser) – Some 700 people feared dead in Taiwan's mudslides have been found alive and rescued from the disaster zone, the BBC reports. Military helicopters have been evacuating people from rural areas in southern Taiwan, where mudslides caused by Typhoon Morakot engulfed several mountain villages. Hundreds of other people are still missing and feared dead or trapped in their buried homes.

"We have found around 700 people alive in three villages last night and 26 more this morning," a rescue official said. "We are deploying 25 helicopters to evacuate them." Roads and bridges were washed out by the worst flooding Taiwan has seen in 50 years, leaving helicopters as the only way in and out of the stricken villages.

A statue of Buddha's head is seen submerged in flood water and debris from Typhoon Morakot at a temple in Kaohsiung County in southern Taiwan.
A statue of Buddha's head is seen submerged in flood water and debris from Typhoon Morakot at a temple in Kaohsiung County in southern Taiwan.   (AP Photo)
Residents from the flood-damaged area of Tainan County, southern Taiwan, make their way down a mountain road.
Residents from the flood-damaged area of Tainan County, southern Taiwan, make their way down a mountain road.   (AP Photo)
Taiwan troops help elderly residents remove debris from floods caused by Typhoon Morakot in Cishan, Taiwan.
Taiwan troops help elderly residents remove debris from floods caused by Typhoon Morakot in Cishan, Taiwan.   (AP Photo/Wally Santana)
Soldiers make their way across rapids to trapped residents from the flooded village of Shiao Lin, Taiwan.
Soldiers make their way across rapids to trapped residents from the flooded village of Shiao Lin, Taiwan.   (AP Photo/Taiwan Military News Agency)
An aerial view reveals a flooded village in southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung county, and the destroyed bridge of Shao Lin.
An aerial view reveals a flooded village in southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung county, and the destroyed bridge of Shao Lin.   (AP Photo/Taiwan Military News Agency)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
brawne
Aug 12, 2009 6:47 AM CDT
They survived the mudslide called China. Let's help them with this.

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