17 killed in south China hailstorm

BEIJING: At least 17 people were killed and 118 injured in south China's Guangdong Province as of Monday after hailstones, cloudburst and strong wind ravaged the region, flood control authorities said.

Gales as strong as 45.5 meters per second, accompanied by hailstorm and lashing rain battered cities including Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing and Dongguan on Sunday, a spokesman with the province's flood control headquarters said.

Walls and work sheds collapsed in strong wind, as well as objects that fell from buildings, killing most of the victims, he said. The felling tree blocked the roads and communications remain paralyzed at several places.