As Russian flood death toll rises to 20, five feared dead found alive
By Peter Spinella,
Moscow - By Peter Spinella, - Five people who had been feared dead amid devastating floods in eastern Russia have been found alive, authorities said on Wednesday, as the death toll rose to 20.
Most of the deaths were from drowning, while at least one was from hypothermia.
One small child was among the dead, an emergency official in the Irkutsk region told the Russian news agency Interfax.
Torrential rains in the Siberian region in recent weeks have caused rivers to overflow, resulting in severe flooding.
Nearly 100 communities have been inundated, the regional administration said in a statement.
About 1,500 people have sought medical assistance, according to state media. More than 200 people have been reported hospitalized.
Last week two residents of the rural town of Yevdokimova died after refusing to leave their home during an evacuation, the regional administration said.
It insisted that residents should heed the warning to evacuate.
One small child was among the dead, an emergency official in the Irkutsk region told the Russian news agency Interfax.
Torrential rains in the Siberian region in recent weeks have caused rivers to overflow, resulting in severe flooding.
Nearly 100 communities have been inundated, the regional administration said in a statement.
About 1,500 people have sought medical assistance, according to state media. More than 200 people have been reported hospitalized.
Last week two residents of the rural town of Yevdokimova died after refusing to leave their home during an evacuation, the regional administration said.
It insisted that residents should heed the warning to evacuate.