The death toll from a huge explosion at a chemical plant in eastern China surged to 47 on Friday, making it one of the country's worst industrial accidents in recent years.

More than 600 people are receiving medical treatment following Thursday afternoon's blast at the industrial park in Yancheng, said the city government on its official Twitter-like Weibo account.

Among them, at least 90 are seriously injured. City officials had previously said that at least 12 people were killed and 30 injured in the explosion in Jiangsu province.

The explosion was so powerful that it apparently triggered a small earthquake, knocked down several factory buildings and shattered the windows of homes a few kilometres away.

"We knew we'd be blown up one day," said one 60-year-old woman surnamed Xiang.&nbsp;

She said she had harboured concerns about safety and pollution at the site for a long time.&nbsp;

Hundreds of rescuers have been dispatched to the scene, local authorities said, and more than 3,000 people have been evacuated from the blast site.

The blaze from the explosion has been extinguished, said local officials Friday, after firefighters battled raging flames through the night. Three chemical tanks and five other areas had been on fire.

Authorities, who are investigating the cause of the accident, said an unspecified number of people were taken into police custody.

The chemical facility involved in the explosion belonged to Tianjiayi Chemical, a firm with 195 employees established in 2007.

According to local officials, the Jiangsu-based company mainly produced raw chemical materials, including anisole, a highly flammable compound.

Abandoned homes&nbsp;

The force of the explosion blew out windows and dented metal garage doors of buildings as far as four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the site, said AFP reporters at the scene.&nbsp;

Nearby residents -- many of them elderly -- have started sweeping up glass, and in some cases, seemed to have abandoned their homes entirely. Black smoke could still be seen rising from the chemical plant on Friday morning before dissipating.

On the road where Xiang lived, consisting of basic two-storey homes, almost all the windows and some window frames were blown in.

The woman was sitting at home when the explosion occurred and said the force rocked her house and badly damaged her front door.&nbsp;

There was no immediate government help, she said, and residents were clearing the street themselves.&nbsp;

Workers trapped&nbsp;

Images broadcast on local media showed how the blast toppled factory buildings, trapping workers inside. State broadcaster CCTV showed rescuers pulling a survivor from the wreckage.

Workers covered in blood were seen running out of the factory, said official news agency Xinhua on Thursday, citing witnesses.

An aerial view of the blast area showed a large swath of destruction in the industrial park, where multiple fires had initially raged.

Deadly industrial accidents are common in China, where safety regulations are often poorly enforced.

In November, a gas leak at a plant in the northern Chinese city of Zhangjiakou that will host the 2022 Winter Olympics killed 24 people and injured 21 others.

A report published by local authorities last month revealed that the Chinese chemical firm responsible for the accident had concealed information and misled investigators.

In 2015, China saw one of its worst industrial accidents when giant chemical blasts in the northern port city of Tianjin killed at least 165 people.

The explosions caused more than $1 billion in damage and sparked widespread anger at a perceived lack of transparency over the accident's causes and its environmental impact.

The death toll from a huge explosion at a chemical plant in eastern China surged to 47 on Friday, making it one of the country's worst industrial accidents in recent years.

The death toll from a huge explosion at a chemical plant in eastern China surged to 47 on Friday, making it one of the country's worst industrial accidents in recent years. More than 600 people are receiving medical treatment following Thursday afternoon's blast at the industrial park in Yancheng, said the city government on its official Twitter-like Weibo account. Among them, at least 90 are seriously injured. City officials had previously said that at least 12 people were killed and 30 injured in the explosion in Jiangsu province. The explosion was so powerful that it apparently triggered a small earthquake, knocked down several factory buildings and shattered the windows of homes a few kilometres away. "We knew we'd be blown up one day," said one 60-year-old woman surnamed Xiang. She said she had harboured concerns about safety and pollution at the site for a long time. Hundreds of rescuers have been dispatched to the scene, local authorities said, and more than 3,000 people have been evacuated from the blast site. The blaze from the explosion has been extinguished, said local officials Friday, after firefighters battled raging flames through the night. Three chemical tanks and five other areas had been on fire. Authorities, who are investigating the cause of the accident, said an unspecified number of people were taken into police custody. The chemical facility involved in the explosion belonged to Tianjiayi Chemical, a firm with 195 employees established in 2007. According to local officials, the Jiangsu-based company mainly produced raw chemical materials, including anisole, a highly flammable compound. Abandoned homes The force of the explosion blew out windows and dented metal garage doors of buildings as far as four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the site, said AFP reporters at the scene. Nearby residents -- many of them elderly -- have started sweeping up glass, and in some cases, seemed to have abandoned their homes entirely. Black smoke could still be seen rising from the chemical plant on Friday morning before dissipating. On the road where Xiang lived, consisting of basic two-storey homes, almost all the windows and some window frames were blown in. The woman was sitting at home when the explosion occurred and said the force rocked her house and badly damaged her front door. There was no immediate government help, she said, and residents were clearing the street themselves. Workers trapped Images broadcast on local media showed how the blast toppled factory buildings, trapping workers inside. State broadcaster CCTV showed rescuers pulling a survivor from the wreckage. Workers covered in blood were seen running out of the factory, said official news agency Xinhua on Thursday, citing witnesses. An aerial view of the blast area showed a large swath of destruction in the industrial park, where multiple fires had initially raged. Deadly industrial accidents are common in China, where safety regulations are often poorly enforced. In November, a gas leak at a plant in the northern Chinese city of Zhangjiakou that will host the 2022 Winter Olympics killed 24 people and injured 21 others. A report published by local authorities last month revealed that the Chinese chemical firm responsible for the accident had concealed information and misled investigators. In 2015, China saw one of its worst industrial accidents when giant chemical blasts in the northern port city of Tianjin killed at least 165 people. The explosions caused more than $1 billion in damage and sparked widespread anger at a perceived lack of transparency over the accident's causes and its environmental impact.

Death toll from east China factory blast jumps to 47, over 600 injured

Rescue teams recovered another 92 bodies, raising the death toll in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-team-seeks-to-provide-water-hygiene-in-cyclone-hit-mozambique-204753">Mozambique for Cyclone Idai</a> to 294, although this is a preliminary figure, local authorities reported Thursday.

A total of 47 bodies were found in Nhamatanda, in Sofala province, according to what regional administrator Toze Jose told the media on Thursday, and he added that there are other flooded neighbourhoods that authorities have not yet been able to contact.

In the neighbouring province of Manica, another 45 bodies were recovered from the floodwaters in Sussundenga district, Gov. Manuel Rodrigues said.

Intensive rescue, recovery and aid efforts continue with a large portion of the territory affected by the storm remaining flooded and tens of thousands of people being housed in emergency shelters until the situation improves and they can return to their homes.

Authorities estimate that some 60,000 people are waiting to receive aid just in Sofala province.

"It's a complicated, difficult situation. Communications are not working. Yesterday, we discovered some flooded areas that we didn't know about, making the affected zone much larger than had been thought," Saviano Abre, the head of communications for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Mozambique, told the media.

"Almost 145 square kilometres (17.3 square miles) have been flooded," Abre added.

Cyclone Idai swept across Mozambique from east to west, heading directly into Zimbabwe and affecting Malawi, wiping out towns and cities in its path of destruction. The Mozambique port city of Beira, with 600,000 people, was 90 per cent destroyed, according to the International Red Cross.

Almost 500 people are known to have been killed by the storm.

In Zimbabwe, which was hit by Idai last Friday, the official death toll currently stands at 139, according to the latest government tally, but authorities fear that figure will increase when they can get access to the entire area affected by the cyclone.

The UN World Food Program made public its calculations of the total number of people affected by the storm, which was the worst ever to hit Africa.

Some 200,000 people suffered property damage from high winds and flooding in Zimbabwe and will urgently need assistance over the next three months and some 920,000 are in a similar situation in Malawi.

In Mozambique, the UN program is currently working with the figure of 600,000 people whose homes were damaged or ruined, but expectations are for that figure to rise to 1.7 million in areas affected by the massive flooding caused the storm. 
&nbsp;

Rescue teams recovered another 92 bodies, raising the death toll in Mozambique for Cyclone Idai to 294, although this is a preliminary figure, local authorities reported Thursday.

Rescue teams recovered another 92 bodies, raising the death toll in Mozambique for Cyclone Idai to 294, although this is a preliminary figure, local authorities reported Thursday. A total of 47 bodies were found in Nhamatanda, in Sofala province, according to what regional administrator Toze Jose told the media on Thursday, and he added that there are other flooded neighbourhoods that authorities have not yet been able to contact. In the neighbouring province of Manica, another 45 bodies were recovered from the floodwaters in Sussundenga district, Gov. Manuel Rodrigues said. Intensive rescue, recovery and aid efforts continue with a large portion of the territory affected by the storm remaining flooded and tens of thousands of people being housed in emergency shelters until the situation improves and they can return to their homes. Authorities estimate that some 60,000 people are waiting to receive aid just in Sofala province. "It's a complicated, difficult situation. Communications are not working. Yesterday, we discovered some flooded areas that we didn't know about, making the affected zone much larger than had been thought," Saviano Abre, the head of communications for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Mozambique, told the media. "Almost 145 square kilometres (17.3 square miles) have been flooded," Abre added. Cyclone Idai swept across Mozambique from east to west, heading directly into Zimbabwe and affecting Malawi, wiping out towns and cities in its path of destruction. The Mozambique port city of Beira, with 600,000 people, was 90 per cent destroyed, according to the International Red Cross. Almost 500 people are known to have been killed by the storm. In Zimbabwe, which was hit by Idai last Friday, the official death toll currently stands at 139, according to the latest government tally, but authorities fear that figure will increase when they can get access to the entire area affected by the cyclone. The UN World Food Program made public its calculations of the total number of people affected by the storm, which was the worst ever to hit Africa. Some 200,000 people suffered property damage from high winds and flooding in Zimbabwe and will urgently need assistance over the next three months and some 920,000 are in a similar situation in Malawi. In Mozambique, the UN program is currently working with the figure of 600,000 people whose homes were damaged or ruined, but expectations are for that figure to rise to 1.7 million in areas affected by the massive flooding caused the storm.

Death toll at 294 in Mozambique after Cyclone Idai

Death toll in Indonesia's Papua province flash floods rises to 58

Another body has been recovered from the rubble of a building housing a school that collapsed in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, rescue workers said Thursday, taking the death toll to nine.

"We worked through the night and one body was recovered," the southwest coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, told AFP.

The dilapidated building in the densely populated Lagos Island area of the city came down without warning on Wednesday morning.

Locals, firefighters and other emergency services workers picked through the rubble to find those trapped, in chaotic scenes.

Thirty-seven people were rescued alive, Farinloye said on Wednesday night.

Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the building had been earmarked for demolition and a nursery and primary school was being run illegally on one of its floors.

School bags, toys and clothes were among the piles of rubble as a bulldozer tried to clear a path through wreckage.

Shopworker Adeniyi Afolabi, who lives nearby, gave the name of the school as the Ohen Nursery and Primary, and said there were 144 pupils in attendance on Wednesday.

Another local, Zion Munachi, also confirmed the name and the number of pupils. Both said not all children were at the school because of sports activities.

Joshua Yang, of the Lagos State Fire Service, said the nursery area of the building had now been cleared.

"There are no persons left in the rubble," he told the TVC News channel.

Building collapses are tragically common in Nigeria, where building regulations are routinely flouted.

In September 2014, 116 people died -- 84 of them South Africans -- when a six-storey guesthouse collapsed at the Lagos church complex of celebrity televangelist TB Joshua.

An inquiry found extra floors had been added without planning permission.

In 2016, at least 60 people were killed when the roof collapsed at a church in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, in the south.

Another body has been recovered from the rubble of a building housing a school that collapsed in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, rescue workers said Thursday, taking the death toll to nine.

Another body has been recovered from the rubble of a building housing a school that collapsed in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, rescue workers said Thursday, taking the death toll to nine. "We worked through the night and one body was recovered," the southwest coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, told AFP. The dilapidated building in the densely populated Lagos Island area of the city came down without warning on Wednesday morning. Locals, firefighters and other emergency services workers picked through the rubble to find those trapped, in chaotic scenes. Thirty-seven people were rescued alive, Farinloye said on Wednesday night. Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the building had been earmarked for demolition and a nursery and primary school was being run illegally on one of its floors. School bags, toys and clothes were among the piles of rubble as a bulldozer tried to clear a path through wreckage. Shopworker Adeniyi Afolabi, who lives nearby, gave the name of the school as the Ohen Nursery and Primary, and said there were 144 pupils in attendance on Wednesday. Another local, Zion Munachi, also confirmed the name and the number of pupils. Both said not all children were at the school because of sports activities. Joshua Yang, of the Lagos State Fire Service, said the nursery area of the building had now been cleared. "There are no persons left in the rubble," he told the TVC News channel. Building collapses are tragically common in Nigeria, where building regulations are routinely flouted. In September 2014, 116 people died -- 84 of them South Africans -- when a six-storey guesthouse collapsed at the Lagos church complex of celebrity televangelist TB Joshua. An inquiry found extra floors had been added without planning permission. In 2016, at least 60 people were killed when the roof collapsed at a church in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, in the south.

Nigeria: Death toll rises to nine in collapsed Lagos school building

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo continued to battle the ongoing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/who-says-end-of-ebola-outbreak-difficult-to-predict-194843">Ebola outbreak</a> Wednesday after the health ministry announced the virus had caused 565 deaths, in what experts called the worst epidemic in the central African nation's history.

According to the most recent figures published by the health ministry on Tuesday, 500 of the people who died were confirmed cases of the virus.

A total of 900 cases have been registered, 835 of which are confirmed and 65 are probable cases of Ebola.

DRC's health minister, Oly Ilunga Kalenga, on Tuesday held a press conference in the capital and assured people the situation was relatively under control, hoping the epidemic in the towns of Beni, Mandima, and Kalunguta would come to an end within the upcoming weeks.

This Ebola outbreak emerged shortly after DR Congo's government declared an end to another outbreak of the disease in the west of the country in June last year and was first reported on August 1 in the conflict-affected provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) had suspended its activities in two Ebola treatment centres at the end of February after armed assailants had attacked an Ebola treatment centre in northeastern DRC.

The attack in the city of Butembo was the second in just over a week as armed men set another treatment centre ablaze in Katwa town, leaving two Ebola patients dead.

“In light of these two violent incidents, we have no choice but to suspend our activities until further notice. As medical responders, it is very painful to have to leave behind patients, their families and other members of the community at such a critical time in the Ebola response,” MSF emergency desk manager, Hugues Robert, said.

On November 30, the World Health Organization confirmed that the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC is the second-worst in history after the 2014-2016 West African Ebola epidemic which resulted in 28,600 cases and 11,325 deaths.

Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people or animals and is widely feared for its mortality rate of up to 90 per cent and for causing heavy internal and external bleeding.

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo continued to battle the ongoing Ebola outbreak Wednesday after the health ministry announced the virus had caused 565 deaths, in what experts called the worst epidemic in the central African nation's history.

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo continued to battle the ongoing Ebola outbreak Wednesday after the health ministry announced the virus had caused 565 deaths, in what experts called the worst epidemic in the central African nation's history. According to the most recent figures published by the health ministry on Tuesday, 500 of the people who died were confirmed cases of the virus. A total of 900 cases have been registered, 835 of which are confirmed and 65 are probable cases of Ebola. DRC's health minister, Oly Ilunga Kalenga, on Tuesday held a press conference in the capital and assured people the situation was relatively under control, hoping the epidemic in the towns of Beni, Mandima, and Kalunguta would come to an end within the upcoming weeks. This Ebola outbreak emerged shortly after DR Congo's government declared an end to another outbreak of the disease in the west of the country in June last year and was first reported on August 1 in the conflict-affected provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) had suspended its activities in two Ebola treatment centres at the end of February after armed assailants had attacked an Ebola treatment centre in northeastern DRC. The attack in the city of Butembo was the second in just over a week as armed men set another treatment centre ablaze in Katwa town, leaving two Ebola patients dead. “In light of these two violent incidents, we have no choice but to suspend our activities until further notice. As medical responders, it is very painful to have to leave behind patients, their families and other members of the community at such a critical time in the Ebola response,” MSF emergency desk manager, Hugues Robert, said. On November 30, the World Health Organization confirmed that the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC is the second-worst in history after the 2014-2016 West African Ebola epidemic which resulted in 28,600 cases and 11,325 deaths. Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people or animals and is widely feared for its mortality rate of up to 90 per cent and for causing heavy internal and external bleeding.

DR Congo Ebola outbreak death toll rises to 565

The number of people killed in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-says-at-least-one-killed-60-feared-buried-in-illegal-mine-landslide-199946">collapse of an illegal gold mine </a>on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi last week has climbed to 16, authorities said Wednesday, as the search for more victims and possible survivors continued.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said that there could be anywhere between 30 to 100 people buried under the debris following the collapse of the mine, which is located in the mountainous Bolaang Mongondow area in northern Sulawesi.

Eighteen people have so far been rescued from the mine, which collapsed after wooden support structures caved in on the night of Feb. 26.

Initial estimates by the authorities had placed the number of missing people at around 60, but BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho could not confirm that toll because of contradictory information from local residents.

Indonesian Search And Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) and BNPB personnel were still engaged in search and rescue efforts with the help of two excavators in the difficult-to-access and unstable terrain, where the two passages that collapsed due a landslide are located.

The use of excavators and loading machines to create an opening to reach the miners was approved by the family members of those who are trapped due to the rapidly diminishing hopes of finding survivors.

Several survivors have died shortly after being rescued, one of them due to excessive loss of blood after security forces and BNPB members decided to amputate his leg that was stuck under a rock.

Authorities feared that removing the rock would cause the gallery to collapse further as it was supporting its roof.

In Jun. 2018, six miners were killed in the same area after being buried by a landslide at another illegal gold mine where they had been working during heavy rains.

Another seven miners died and five were hospitalized in the same month after inhaling toxic smoke from burning tires at a mine on Lombok Island.

Illegal mining is a common practice in Indonesia due to the lax enforcement by the authorities, with frequent accidents due to the lack of appropriate safety measures.

The number of people killed in the collapse of an illegal gold mine on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi last week has climbed to 16, authorities said Wednesday, as the search for more victims and possible survivors continued.

The number of people killed in the collapse of an illegal gold mine on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi last week has climbed to 16, authorities said Wednesday, as the search for more victims and possible survivors continued. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said that there could be anywhere between 30 to 100 people buried under the debris following the collapse of the mine, which is located in the mountainous Bolaang Mongondow area in northern Sulawesi. Eighteen people have so far been rescued from the mine, which collapsed after wooden support structures caved in on the night of Feb. 26. Initial estimates by the authorities had placed the number of missing people at around 60, but BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho could not confirm that toll because of contradictory information from local residents. Indonesian Search And Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) and BNPB personnel were still engaged in search and rescue efforts with the help of two excavators in the difficult-to-access and unstable terrain, where the two passages that collapsed due a landslide are located. The use of excavators and loading machines to create an opening to reach the miners was approved by the family members of those who are trapped due to the rapidly diminishing hopes of finding survivors. Several survivors have died shortly after being rescued, one of them due to excessive loss of blood after security forces and BNPB members decided to amputate his leg that was stuck under a rock. Authorities feared that removing the rock would cause the gallery to collapse further as it was supporting its roof. In Jun. 2018, six miners were killed in the same area after being buried by a landslide at another illegal gold mine where they had been working during heavy rains. Another seven miners died and five were hospitalized in the same month after inhaling toxic smoke from burning tires at a mine on Lombok Island. Illegal mining is a common practice in Indonesia due to the lax enforcement by the authorities, with frequent accidents due to the lack of appropriate safety measures.

Death toll in Indonesia gold mine collapse climbs to 16

As many as 157 people, mostly tea garden workers, have so far died in Assam hooch tragedy and more than 300 others are still undergoing treatment in hospitals in the affected districts of Golaghat and Jorhat while 22 people have been arrested in connection with the incident, officials said on Monday.

With the death toll continuing to mount since Thursday night, the BJP government drew flak from the opposition Congress which accused it of being indifferent to the plight of victims and demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident saying "a tragedy of this magnitude has never taken place in Assam's history".&nbsp;

Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya directed district officers to crack down on sale and production of illicit liquor. The state government has also banned the sale of 'lali gur' or red molasses used in the production of the liquor, an official said.

Altogether, 22 people have been arrested in connection with the incident from the two districts, police said. Several organisations, including the Asam Chah Mazdoor Union, took out a march in the tea belt of Golaghat on Monday to protest against the tragedy and burnt effigies of Suklabaidya and Tea Tribe Welfare Minister Pallab Lochan Das.

A large number of labourers of two tea estates of Golaghat and Jorhat districts had fallen ill after drinking spurious liquor on Thursday night.

Twelve of them had died the same night. At Jorhat Medical College Hospital, at least 78 persons died while undergoing treatment and 20 of them were brought dead. Currently, over 250 people are being treated there, they said. In Golaghat, 55 people have died so far, while 57 are undergoing treatment at a civil hospital.

Meanwhile, condemning the incident, former chief minister Tarun Gogoi demanded a CBI inquiry into the episode, saying that "a tragedy of this magnitude has never taken place in Assam's history".&nbsp;

"The state government should have claimed responsibility for the deaths and called for an all-party meeting to discuss the issue," he added.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had ordered an inquiry into the incident by Upper Assam Division Commissioner Julie Sonowal on Friday.

The CM, along with Health Minister Himanta Sarma, has also reviewed the condition of victims undergoing treatment at the Jorhat hospital.

On Saturday, he announced a monetary compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those who fell ill. This is the second major hooch tragedy in the country within a fortnight.

At least 70 people had died in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand after drinking spurious liquor earlier this month.

As many as 157 people, mostly tea garden workers, have so far died in Assam hooch tragedy and more than 300 others are still undergoing treatment in hospitals in the affected districts of Golaghat and Jorhat while 22 people have been arrested in connection with the incident, officials said on Monday.

As many as 157 people, mostly tea garden workers, have so far died in Assam hooch tragedy and more than 300 others are still undergoing treatment in hospitals in the affected districts of Golaghat and Jorhat while 22 people have been arrested in connection with the incident, officials said on Monday. With the death toll continuing to mount since Thursday night, the BJP government drew flak from the opposition Congress which accused it of being indifferent to the plight of victims and demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident saying "a tragedy of this magnitude has never taken place in Assam's history". Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya directed district officers to crack down on sale and production of illicit liquor. The state government has also banned the sale of 'lali gur' or red molasses used in the production of the liquor, an official said. Altogether, 22 people have been arrested in connection with the incident from the two districts, police said. Several organisations, including the Asam Chah Mazdoor Union, took out a march in the tea belt of Golaghat on Monday to protest against the tragedy and burnt effigies of Suklabaidya and Tea Tribe Welfare Minister Pallab Lochan Das. A large number of labourers of two tea estates of Golaghat and Jorhat districts had fallen ill after drinking spurious liquor on Thursday night. Twelve of them had died the same night. At Jorhat Medical College Hospital, at least 78 persons died while undergoing treatment and 20 of them were brought dead. Currently, over 250 people are being treated there, they said. In Golaghat, 55 people have died so far, while 57 are undergoing treatment at a civil hospital. Meanwhile, condemning the incident, former chief minister Tarun Gogoi demanded a CBI inquiry into the episode, saying that "a tragedy of this magnitude has never taken place in Assam's history". "The state government should have claimed responsibility for the deaths and called for an all-party meeting to discuss the issue," he added. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had ordered an inquiry into the incident by Upper Assam Division Commissioner Julie Sonowal on Friday. The CM, along with Health Minister Himanta Sarma, has also reviewed the condition of victims undergoing treatment at the Jorhat hospital. On Saturday, he announced a monetary compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those who fell ill. This is the second major hooch tragedy in the country within a fortnight. At least 70 people had died in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand after drinking spurious liquor earlier this month.

22 arrested in Assam hooch tragedy; death toll rises to 157

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assam-hooch-tragedy-leaves-85-dead-government-destroys-15000-litres-liquor-199205">death toll</a> in the Assam hooch tragedy has climbed to over a 100, with news reports Sunday saying the toll could be anywhere between 102 and 114.&nbsp;

The deaths first began to be reported Thursday night from two gardens in Assam's Golaghat and Jorhat districts. Twelve tea garden workers died Thursday night itself, with the toll steadily climbing since then.&nbsp;

A number of tea garden workers brew liqour themselves, mixing additives in to make it stronger. The liqour is then often sold.&nbsp;

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday met victims at the Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs two lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those who had fallen ill.

Sonowal said the guilty would not not be spared, even as the opposition Congress accused the BJP government in Assam of not taking adequate steps to stop the sale of illicit liquor and demanded the resignation of the state excise minister

Police said twelve persons have been detained in Golaghat for interrogation. Two persons were arrested in connection with the tragedy on Friday.

Sonowal had on Friday ordered an inquiry into the tragedy by Upper Assam Division Commissioner Julie Sonowal. The chief minsister has asked for the report to be submitted within a month.

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also visited JMCH, said Saturday that the "death toll and the number of people admitted is changing minute to minute".

Asked if spurious liquor is still being sold in view of fresh cases being reported, Sarma said,&nbsp; 
"Patients who had developed complications two-three days ago are coming now. Some who had consumed liquor earlier are coming for treatment after hearing the news of the hooch tragedy out of fear. These people are psychologically in shock and so they think they are ill."

Doctors from Assam Medical College Hospital of Dibrugarh district, Gauhati Medical College&nbsp; 
Hospital and Tezpur Medical College Hospital in Sonitpur district were rushed to the Jorhat and Golaghat hospitals to provide medical care to the large number of affected people, he said.

Besides, the director of medical education Anup Barman, directors of Health, Assam and the National Rural Health Mission will be stationed in Jorhat to supervise and co-ordinate the services being provided to the patients, the minister said.

"The prime consideration now is how to give best medical treatment to the affected," Sarma said.

Considering the situation in Jorhat vis a vis the hooch tragedy, hospital authorities have been asked to restrict the number of patients admitted with other complaints so that maximum number of those who were taken ill after drinking spurious liquor can be accommodated there.

Hospital authorities have also been instructed to provide food for the attendants of the hooch victims, besides the mandatory health care facilities and medicines.

Assam Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia said 12 persons have been detained in Golaghat for interrogation.

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Tarun Gogoi has demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and accused the BJP government in the Assam of not taking adequate steps to stop the sale of illicit liquor.

Congress members also staged a protest in Golaghat and demanded the resignation of Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya.

Activists of the state's leading student and youth organsiation Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad burnt an effigy of the excise minister at Golaghat and demanded his resignation.&nbsp;

This is the second major hooch tragedy in the country within a fortnight. Earlier, at least 70 people had died in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand after drinking spurious liquor.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

The death toll in the Assam hooch tragedy has climbed to over a 100, with news reports Sunday saying the toll could be anywhere between 102 and 114. The deaths first began to be reported Thursday night from two gardens in Assam's Golaghat and Jorhat districts.

The death toll in the Assam hooch tragedy has climbed to over a 100, with news reports Sunday saying the toll could be anywhere between 102 and 114. The deaths first began to be reported Thursday night from two gardens in Assam's Golaghat and Jorhat districts. Twelve tea garden workers died Thursday night itself, with the toll steadily climbing since then. A number of tea garden workers brew liqour themselves, mixing additives in to make it stronger. The liqour is then often sold. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday met victims at the Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs two lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those who had fallen ill. Sonowal said the guilty would not not be spared, even as the opposition Congress accused the BJP government in Assam of not taking adequate steps to stop the sale of illicit liquor and demanded the resignation of the state excise minister Police said twelve persons have been detained in Golaghat for interrogation. Two persons were arrested in connection with the tragedy on Friday. Sonowal had on Friday ordered an inquiry into the tragedy by Upper Assam Division Commissioner Julie Sonowal. The chief minsister has asked for the report to be submitted within a month. Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also visited JMCH, said Saturday that the "death toll and the number of people admitted is changing minute to minute". Asked if spurious liquor is still being sold in view of fresh cases being reported, Sarma said, "Patients who had developed complications two-three days ago are coming now. Some who had consumed liquor earlier are coming for treatment after hearing the news of the hooch tragedy out of fear. These people are psychologically in shock and so they think they are ill." Doctors from Assam Medical College Hospital of Dibrugarh district, Gauhati Medical College Hospital and Tezpur Medical College Hospital in Sonitpur district were rushed to the Jorhat and Golaghat hospitals to provide medical care to the large number of affected people, he said. Besides, the director of medical education Anup Barman, directors of Health, Assam and the National Rural Health Mission will be stationed in Jorhat to supervise and co-ordinate the services being provided to the patients, the minister said. "The prime consideration now is how to give best medical treatment to the affected," Sarma said. Considering the situation in Jorhat vis a vis the hooch tragedy, hospital authorities have been asked to restrict the number of patients admitted with other complaints so that maximum number of those who were taken ill after drinking spurious liquor can be accommodated there. Hospital authorities have also been instructed to provide food for the attendants of the hooch victims, besides the mandatory health care facilities and medicines. Assam Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia said 12 persons have been detained in Golaghat for interrogation. Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Tarun Gogoi has demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and accused the BJP government in the Assam of not taking adequate steps to stop the sale of illicit liquor. Congress members also staged a protest in Golaghat and demanded the resignation of Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya. Activists of the state's leading student and youth organsiation Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad burnt an effigy of the excise minister at Golaghat and demanded his resignation. This is the second major hooch tragedy in the country within a fortnight. Earlier, at least 70 people had died in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand after drinking spurious liquor. (With inputs from PTI)

Assam hooch deaths: Toll climbs to over 100

The body of a policeman, who was missing following an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-cops-among-seven-dead-in-kashmir-avalanche-196075">avalanche near Jawahar Tunnel</a> in Kulgam district two days ago, was found on Saturday, taking the death toll in the incident to eight, police said.

The body was extricated by a search and rescue team this morning, a police official said.

An avalanche hit a police post in the north portal of Jawahar Tunnel in Kulgam district on Thursday evening. While 10 cops were able to rush to safety, 10 others were trapped.

Bodies of five policemen and two prisoners were retrieved by the search and rescue team on Friday, he said.&nbsp;

While two cops were rescued, another was missing.

Heavy snowfall across Kashmir on Wednesday and Thursday has triggered avalanches and snowslides at many places in the hilly areas of the valley.&nbsp;

The body of a policeman, who was missing following an avalanche near Jawahar Tunnel in Kulgam district two days ago, was found on Saturday, taking the death toll in the incident to eight, police said.

The body of a policeman, who was missing following an avalanche near Jawahar Tunnel in Kulgam district two days ago, was found on Saturday, taking the death toll in the incident to eight, police said. The body was extricated by a search and rescue team this morning, a police official said. An avalanche hit a police post in the north portal of Jawahar Tunnel in Kulgam district on Thursday evening. While 10 cops were able to rush to safety, 10 others were trapped. Bodies of five policemen and two prisoners were retrieved by the search and rescue team on Friday, he said. While two cops were rescued, another was missing. Heavy snowfall across Kashmir on Wednesday and Thursday has triggered avalanches and snowslides at many places in the hilly areas of the valley.

J&K: One more cop dies in Kulgam avalanche incident, toll mounts to eight

Five people have been killed by a gas explosion in an unused coal mine in South Africa's eastern province of Mpumalanga and several others remain trapped, police said on Thursday.

State broadcaster SABC said about 20 people were still stuck underground at the mine in Middleburg.

Rescue efforts were hampered by dangerously high levels of toxic gas underground, SABC said.

The mine is owned by Tegeta Resources and Exploration, which is undergoing creditor protection after its owners, the Gupta brothers, found it difficult to continue doing business in South Africa following corruption allegations against them.

Several people had entered the mine on Wednesday afternoon to steal copper wires that supply electricity for lighting and ventilation when a gas pipe exploded, police spokesman Leonard Hlati said.

"The mine is wired with copper. They were going for copper," Hlati said.

Copper is often stolen from disused mines in South Africa and sold for scrap.

The Gupta brothers, their lawyers and officials from their firms and family representatives could not be reached for comment about the mine incident.

The brothers - who headed what was one of the country's biggest conglomerates - were accused of unduly influencing former president Jacob Zuma over political appointments and winning contracts.

Zuma and the Guptas deny any wrongdoing.

Five people have been killed by a gas explosion in an unused coal mine in South Africa's eastern province of Mpumalanga and several others remain trapped, police said on Thursday.

Five people have been killed by a gas explosion in an unused coal mine in South Africa's eastern province of Mpumalanga and several others remain trapped, police said on Thursday. State broadcaster SABC said about 20 people were still stuck underground at the mine in Middleburg. Rescue efforts were hampered by dangerously high levels of toxic gas underground, SABC said. The mine is owned by Tegeta Resources and Exploration, which is undergoing creditor protection after its owners, the Gupta brothers, found it difficult to continue doing business in South Africa following corruption allegations against them. Several people had entered the mine on Wednesday afternoon to steal copper wires that supply electricity for lighting and ventilation when a gas pipe exploded, police spokesman Leonard Hlati said. "The mine is wired with copper. They were going for copper," Hlati said. Copper is often stolen from disused mines in South Africa and sold for scrap. The Gupta brothers, their lawyers and officials from their firms and family representatives could not be reached for comment about the mine incident. The brothers - who headed what was one of the country's biggest conglomerates - were accused of unduly influencing former president Jacob Zuma over political appointments and winning contracts. Zuma and the Guptas deny any wrongdoing.

Five killed in South African coal mine gas explosion

The number of people killed in the powerful tornado that ripped through part of Havana last week has risen to six, authorities said Sunday.&nbsp;

Public Health Minister Jose Angel Portal Miranda said in state media that "sadly, two people have died among the 13 who were in critical condition." The earlier death toll was four.

The storm which hit Havana area towns including Regla, Guanabacoa, San Miguel de Padron and 10 de Octubre late January 27, has been confirmed as an F4 storm, with F5 the strongest.&nbsp;

Its powerful winds overturned trees and homes and cars, and several areas a number of blocks wide were all but wiped off the map.

The number of people killed in the powerful tornado that ripped through part of Havana last week has risen to six, authorities said Sunday. Public Health Minister Jose Angel Portal Miranda said in state media that "sadly, two people have died among the 13 who were in critical condition.

The number of people killed in the powerful tornado that ripped through part of Havana last week has risen to six, authorities said Sunday. Public Health Minister Jose Angel Portal Miranda said in state media that "sadly, two people have died among the 13 who were in critical condition." The earlier death toll was four. The storm which hit Havana area towns including Regla, Guanabacoa, San Miguel de Padron and 10 de Octubre late January 27, has been confirmed as an F4 storm, with F5 the strongest. Its powerful winds overturned trees and homes and cars, and several areas a number of blocks wide were all but wiped off the map.

Death toll in Cuba tornado rises to six

The death toll from a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-from-mexico-pipeline-blast-stands-at-100-192621">fiery pipeline explosion in central Mexico</a> last month reached 125, the government announced Sunday.

Another 22 people remain in hospital, many of them with burns covering at least 80 per cent of their bodies, the social security office IMSS reported.

On January 18, the fuel-line in Hidalgo state was deliberately punctured, drawing hundreds of people looking to gather gasoline before it ignited.

The disaster occurred as the government wages a huge effort to clamp down on fuel theft, which costs Mexico an estimated three billion dollars in 2017.

So-called "huachicol" — as the stolen fuel is known in Mexico — costs about half of the market price.&nbsp;

Mexico is regularly rocked by deadly explosions at illegal pipeline taps, a dangerous but lucrative business whose players include powerful drug cartels and corrupt Pemex insiders.

The death toll from a fiery pipeline explosion in central Mexico last month reached 125, the government announced Sunday. Another 22 people remain in hospital, many of them with burns covering at least 80 per cent of their bodies, the social security office IMSS reported.

The death toll from a fiery pipeline explosion in central Mexico last month reached 125, the government announced Sunday. Another 22 people remain in hospital, many of them with burns covering at least 80 per cent of their bodies, the social security office IMSS reported. On January 18, the fuel-line in Hidalgo state was deliberately punctured, drawing hundreds of people looking to gather gasoline before it ignited. The disaster occurred as the government wages a huge effort to clamp down on fuel theft, which costs Mexico an estimated three billion dollars in 2017. So-called "huachicol" — as the stolen fuel is known in Mexico — costs about half of the market price. Mexico is regularly rocked by deadly explosions at illegal pipeline taps, a dangerous but lucrative business whose players include powerful drug cartels and corrupt Pemex insiders.

Mexico fuel theft tragedy death toll rises to 125

Warren Ragudo died after two Taser shocks by police intervening in a family altercation. Ramzi Saad died after a Taser shock by police during a dispute between Saad and his mother. Chinedu Okobi died after police used a Taser to subdue him in a confrontation they blamed on his refusal to stop walking in traffic.

All three were unarmed. All three had histories of mental illness. And all three died last year in a single northern California county, San Mateo.

They were among at least 49 people who died in 2018 after being shocked by police with a Taser, a similar number as in the previous two years, according to a Reuters review of police records, news reports and court documents.

The deaths typically draw little public scrutiny – no government agency tracks how often Tasers are used or how many of those deployments prove fatal, and coroners and medical examiners use varying standards to assess a Taser's role in the death. But some communities now are considering more restrictive Taser policies following allegations that the weapons were used excessively or deployed against people with physical or mental conditions that put them at higher risk of death or injury.

Reuters has contacted 14 police departments, counties and cities that saw a Taser-related death or other serious Taser-related incidents in 2018. Of those, five are reviewing their Taser policies; three had conducted reviews and made no changes, and five declined to comment because investigations into the incidents were still ongoing.

Reuters now has documented a total of at least 1,081 US deaths following the use of Tasers, almost all since the weapons began coming into widespread use in the early 2000s. In many of those cases, the Taser, which fires a pair of barbed darts that deliver a paralyzing electrical charge, was combined with other force, such as hand strikes or restraint holds.

Following the three San Mateo deaths, all within nine months, the county board of supervisors and the district attorney launched ongoing reviews of the use and safety of Tasers, which were touted by police and the weapon’s manufacturer as a near-perfect, “non-lethal” weapon when they began coming into widespread use more than a decade ago.

There is a need to reevaluate “the proper role for Tasers and how and when they are engaged,” Dave Pine, a member of the Board of Supervisors told Reuters. Until then, “I personally think it would be appropriate to have a moratorium on their use.”

Most independent researchers who have studied Tasers say deaths are rare when they are used properly, but in a series of reports in 2017, Reuters found that many police officers are not trained properly on the risks and weapons are often misused.

Reuters was able to obtain cause-of-death data for 779 of the 1,081 deaths it has documented and the Taser has deemed a cause or contributing factor in 21 per cent of those.

Axon Enterprise Inc, the Taser’s manufacturer, says most deaths involving the weapons are a result of drug use, underlying physiological conditions, such as heart problems, or other police force used along with the Taser.

Axon argues that most cause-of-death rulings implicating its weapons are misinformed and said in an email that Tasers albeit "not risk-free" are "the safest and effective less-lethal use of force tool available to law enforcement.”

RECOGNIZING THE RISKS

Reuters reporting, which included the most complete accounting to date of fatalities following Taser shocks, showed that many cases involved high-risk subjects, such as people agitated by drugs or mental illness, people with heart problems, people who are very young or very old or very frail.

At least half those who died after Taser shocks last year fell into one or more of those categories. As in previous years, about 90 per cent were unarmed and nearly a quarter had a history of mental illness.

As police departments have become more aware of Tasers’ risks and limitations, a growing number have restricted their use, says Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) think tank. Still, many officers remain unaware of the hazards when they encounter those vulnerable to a Taser's shock, Wexler warns.

“That’s a big problem.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, one of the nation’s largest police forces, drafted a new Taser policy last year that would put new restrictions on the weapons' deployment, according to an official familiar with the initiative. The policy awaits final approval from the department’s new leadership, which took over after November’s elections.

In Cincinnati, the police department is reviewing its Taser policy after an 11-year-old girl was shocked last year, said Lt. Steve Saunders, a spokesman. In Chula Vista, California, an automatic review is underway following the death of Jason Watts, 29, who died in October after police shocked him in a confrontation at a store, spokesman Capt. Phil Collum said.

Public discourse over Tasers’ safety has been especially heated in San Francisco, where the Board of Supervisors voted in June to block funding for the police department’s long-debated plan to purchase the weapons.

Nationally, there are no uniform standards governing police use of Tasers, although PERF and the International Association of Chiefs of Police offer model guidelines that warn against using Tasers on vulnerable populations and limit the number and duration of shocks during deployment.

Axon said it offers police departments “the latest public-safety best practices and training” for Taser use, including warnings about vulnerable populations. The company also offers “de-escalation training” to help officers resolve conflicts without Tasers, as well as “empathy training for special populations, including the mentally ill.”

CONCERNS IN SAN MATEO

In San Mateo, the county coroner ruled the death of Ramzi Saad a homicide: "cardiac arrest occurring during physical exertion, physical restraint and tasering."

Police visited the Redwood City home where Saad, 55, lived with his mother on Aug. 13 after a neighbour witnessed him shoving his mother during an argument and called 911.

Saad, who suffered from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, diabetes, and high blood pressure, was shocked with a Taser at least twice after threatening an officer, then lost consciousness as he was pinned to the ground by other police, investigators later found. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Stephen Wagstaffe, the county’s district attorney, found the officers’ response justified, but the second death in 2018 after a Taser shock made local officials take notice.

Two months later, the questions about Taser use grew more urgent: Chinedu Okobi, 36, died on October 3 after being shocked by San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies in Millbrae.

The deaths have raised major concerns, Wagstaffe told Reuters. He said he has directed staff “to come up with as much information as possible on Taser-related deaths." The results of the fact-gathering exercise will go to the sheriff and the county’s 15 municipal police chiefs “to help them in their judgment on the future use of Tasers,” Wagstaffe said.

The district attorney is conducting a separate, formal investigation into whether the deputies who confronted Okobi before his death committed any crimes. That inquiry should be completed by the end of the month and will be made public, Wagstaffe told Reuters.

While Pine favours a moratorium on Taser use during the review, several municipal police chiefs told Reuters they preferred to wait for Wagstaffe’s Okobi investigation before deciding whether to alter policies. The sheriff’s department, which operates countywide, is against a moratorium. Carlos Bolanos, the San Mateo County Sheriff, said he was awaiting results of Wagstaffe's report into Okobi's death before his department conducts its own internal review into the death.

Meanwhile, Okobi’s death has become a flashpoint in the county’s debate over Taser use. The sheriff's department and Okobi's sister Ebele, a Facebook executive, have offered conflicting accounts about the events surrounding Okobi's death. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public meeting on February 11 to discuss law enforcement's Taser use. Presenters will include officials from Axon, the county sheriff's office, the American Civil Liberties Union and Dr Zian Tseng, a cardiologist, Pine said.

Warren Ragudo died after two Taser shocks by police intervening in a family altercation. Ramzi Saad died after a Taser shock by police during a dispute between Saad and his mother.

Warren Ragudo died after two Taser shocks by police intervening in a family altercation. Ramzi Saad died after a Taser shock by police during a dispute between Saad and his mother. Chinedu Okobi died after police used a Taser to subdue him in a confrontation they blamed on his refusal to stop walking in traffic. All three were unarmed. All three had histories of mental illness. And all three died last year in a single northern California county, San Mateo. They were among at least 49 people who died in 2018 after being shocked by police with a Taser, a similar number as in the previous two years, according to a Reuters review of police records, news reports and court documents. The deaths typically draw little public scrutiny – no government agency tracks how often Tasers are used or how many of those deployments prove fatal, and coroners and medical examiners use varying standards to assess a Taser's role in the death. But some communities now are considering more restrictive Taser policies following allegations that the weapons were used excessively or deployed against people with physical or mental conditions that put them at higher risk of death or injury. Reuters has contacted 14 police departments, counties and cities that saw a Taser-related death or other serious Taser-related incidents in 2018. Of those, five are reviewing their Taser policies; three had conducted reviews and made no changes, and five declined to comment because investigations into the incidents were still ongoing. Reuters now has documented a total of at least 1,081 US deaths following the use of Tasers, almost all since the weapons began coming into widespread use in the early 2000s. In many of those cases, the Taser, which fires a pair of barbed darts that deliver a paralyzing electrical charge, was combined with other force, such as hand strikes or restraint holds. Following the three San Mateo deaths, all within nine months, the county board of supervisors and the district attorney launched ongoing reviews of the use and safety of Tasers, which were touted by police and the weapon’s manufacturer as a near-perfect, “non-lethal” weapon when they began coming into widespread use more than a decade ago. There is a need to reevaluate “the proper role for Tasers and how and when they are engaged,” Dave Pine, a member of the Board of Supervisors told Reuters. Until then, “I personally think it would be appropriate to have a moratorium on their use.” Most independent researchers who have studied Tasers say deaths are rare when they are used properly, but in a series of reports in 2017, Reuters found that many police officers are not trained properly on the risks and weapons are often misused. Reuters was able to obtain cause-of-death data for 779 of the 1,081 deaths it has documented and the Taser has deemed a cause or contributing factor in 21 per cent of those. Axon Enterprise Inc, the Taser’s manufacturer, says most deaths involving the weapons are a result of drug use, underlying physiological conditions, such as heart problems, or other police force used along with the Taser. Axon argues that most cause-of-death rulings implicating its weapons are misinformed and said in an email that Tasers albeit "not risk-free" are "the safest and effective less-lethal use of force tool available to law enforcement.” RECOGNIZING THE RISKS Reuters reporting, which included the most complete accounting to date of fatalities following Taser shocks, showed that many cases involved high-risk subjects, such as people agitated by drugs or mental illness, people with heart problems, people who are very young or very old or very frail. At least half those who died after Taser shocks last year fell into one or more of those categories. As in previous years, about 90 per cent were unarmed and nearly a quarter had a history of mental illness. As police departments have become more aware of Tasers’ risks and limitations, a growing number have restricted their use, says Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) think tank. Still, many officers remain unaware of the hazards when they encounter those vulnerable to a Taser's shock, Wexler warns. “That’s a big problem.” The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, one of the nation’s largest police forces, drafted a new Taser policy last year that would put new restrictions on the weapons' deployment, according to an official familiar with the initiative. The policy awaits final approval from the department’s new leadership, which took over after November’s elections. In Cincinnati, the police department is reviewing its Taser policy after an 11-year-old girl was shocked last year, said Lt. Steve Saunders, a spokesman. In Chula Vista, California, an automatic review is underway following the death of Jason Watts, 29, who died in October after police shocked him in a confrontation at a store, spokesman Capt. Phil Collum said. Public discourse over Tasers’ safety has been especially heated in San Francisco, where the Board of Supervisors voted in June to block funding for the police department’s long-debated plan to purchase the weapons. Nationally, there are no uniform standards governing police use of Tasers, although PERF and the International Association of Chiefs of Police offer model guidelines that warn against using Tasers on vulnerable populations and limit the number and duration of shocks during deployment. Axon said it offers police departments “the latest public-safety best practices and training” for Taser use, including warnings about vulnerable populations. The company also offers “de-escalation training” to help officers resolve conflicts without Tasers, as well as “empathy training for special populations, including the mentally ill.” CONCERNS IN SAN MATEO In San Mateo, the county coroner ruled the death of Ramzi Saad a homicide: "cardiac arrest occurring during physical exertion, physical restraint and tasering." Police visited the Redwood City home where Saad, 55, lived with his mother on Aug. 13 after a neighbour witnessed him shoving his mother during an argument and called 911. Saad, who suffered from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, diabetes, and high blood pressure, was shocked with a Taser at least twice after threatening an officer, then lost consciousness as he was pinned to the ground by other police, investigators later found. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Stephen Wagstaffe, the county’s district attorney, found the officers’ response justified, but the second death in 2018 after a Taser shock made local officials take notice. Two months later, the questions about Taser use grew more urgent: Chinedu Okobi, 36, died on October 3 after being shocked by San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies in Millbrae. The deaths have raised major concerns, Wagstaffe told Reuters. He said he has directed staff “to come up with as much information as possible on Taser-related deaths." The results of the fact-gathering exercise will go to the sheriff and the county’s 15 municipal police chiefs “to help them in their judgment on the future use of Tasers,” Wagstaffe said. The district attorney is conducting a separate, formal investigation into whether the deputies who confronted Okobi before his death committed any crimes. That inquiry should be completed by the end of the month and will be made public, Wagstaffe told Reuters. While Pine favours a moratorium on Taser use during the review, several municipal police chiefs told Reuters they preferred to wait for Wagstaffe’s Okobi investigation before deciding whether to alter policies. The sheriff’s department, which operates countywide, is against a moratorium. Carlos Bolanos, the San Mateo County Sheriff, said he was awaiting results of Wagstaffe's report into Okobi's death before his department conducts its own internal review into the death. Meanwhile, Okobi’s death has become a flashpoint in the county’s debate over Taser use. The sheriff's department and Okobi's sister Ebele, a Facebook executive, have offered conflicting accounts about the events surrounding Okobi's death. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public meeting on February 11 to discuss law enforcement's Taser use. Presenters will include officials from Axon, the county sheriff's office, the American Civil Liberties Union and Dr Zian Tseng, a cardiologist, Pine said.

As death toll keeps rising, US communities start rethinking Taser use

At least nine people were killed and several wounded when a car loaded with explosives blew up near a mall in a busy market in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/blast-in-somalias-capital-mogadishu-report-195008">Somalia capital</a> on Monday, police said.

"The blast occurred close to Mogadishu mall and it has caused death and destruction. Nine civilians were confirmed dead and several others are wounded," police officer Ahmed Moalin Ali said.

"The terrorists parked a vehicle loaded with explosives in the vicinity of the mall to kill the innocent civilians."

He said some of the victims died in a building that collapsed as a result of the blast in the Hamarweyne market.

"I saw the dead bodies of four people recovered from the debris of a collapsed building and three others were strewn dead outside after the blast had blown them," said shopper Munira Abdukadir.

"I was not far away from the blast location, but I was lucky to have survived, several people were wounded and some were screaming before the ambulances arrived," said another witness, Abdulahi Mohamed.

Mogadishu is regularly targeted by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Islamist group Al-Shabaab.

The group was largely driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and has lost many of its strongholds. But it retains control of large rural swathes of the country and continues to wage a guerrilla war against the authorities. 
&nbsp;

At least nine people were killed and several wounded when a car loaded with explosives blew up near a mall in a busy market in the Somalia capital on Monday, police said.

At least nine people were killed and several wounded when a car loaded with explosives blew up near a mall in a busy market in the Somalia capital on Monday, police said. "The blast occurred close to Mogadishu mall and it has caused death and destruction. Nine civilians were confirmed dead and several others are wounded," police officer Ahmed Moalin Ali said. "The terrorists parked a vehicle loaded with explosives in the vicinity of the mall to kill the innocent civilians." He said some of the victims died in a building that collapsed as a result of the blast in the Hamarweyne market. "I saw the dead bodies of four people recovered from the debris of a collapsed building and three others were strewn dead outside after the blast had blown them," said shopper Munira Abdukadir. "I was not far away from the blast location, but I was lucky to have survived, several people were wounded and some were screaming before the ambulances arrived," said another witness, Abdulahi Mohamed. Mogadishu is regularly targeted by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Islamist group Al-Shabaab. The group was largely driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and has lost many of its strongholds. But it retains control of large rural swathes of the country and continues to wage a guerrilla war against the authorities.

At least nine killed, several wounded in Somalia market car bombing: Police

The death toll from a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-mexico-gasoline-pipeline-blast-climbs-to-94-officials-192072&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjjlffwhojgAhWLvY8KHfJrAZoQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3bP7-u_3Rnd7ojlT8gz_eh">pipeline explosion</a> in central Mexico caused by an illegal tap has reached 100, officials said Thursday.

Four of the people hospitalised following the blast died overnight, the IMSS public health service said.

Eleven others injured in the blast in Tlahuelilpan - a small town in Hidalgo state - remain hospitalized at IMSS institutions in the capital, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-fuel-pipeline-blast-death-toll-rises-to-73-191521&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjbp-eCh4jgAhXIL48KHSdaCngQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ytotPCwCCNr-WU342RNMO">Mexico state</a>, and Hidalgo, the service said in a statement.

The blast occurred last Friday night, hours after hundreds of Tlahuelilpan residents gathered near a pipeline to collect fuel after thieves had drilled a hole in the duct.

Army soldiers had arrived at the scene prior to the explosion but were unable to control the large crowd.

Stealing fuel from pipelines owned by state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and re-selling it on the black market has become a major criminal enterprise in Mexico.

This form of theft cost Mexico some $3.4 billion last year, according to official figures.

Since his December 1, 2018, inauguration, leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has launched an all-out fight against the racket, deploying thousands of police and troops to increase the surveillance of pipelines.

The administration also adopted a change in Pemex's method for shipping gasoline and diesel from refineries to urban distribution centres, opting to transport more fuel via tanker trucks instead of pipelines.

That modification has caused severe supply problems in at least 10 states and Mexico City and led to the closing of service stations and panic purchases.

In parallel with those steps, Lopez Obrador presented Tuesday a plan to provide economic aid to communities along the routes to discourage residents from illegally tapping into the conduits.

The plan is expected to benefit 1.68 million people in 91 municipalities and has an estimated price tag of 3.86 billion pesos ($187 million).

The goal is to alleviate poverty and end the need for people to tap the pipelines to get fuel, the president said.

The death toll from a pipeline explosion in central Mexico caused by an illegal tap has reached 100, officials said Thursday. Four of the people hospitalised following the blast died overnight, the IMSS public health service said.

The death toll from a pipeline explosion in central Mexico caused by an illegal tap has reached 100, officials said Thursday. Four of the people hospitalised following the blast died overnight, the IMSS public health service said. Eleven others injured in the blast in Tlahuelilpan - a small town in Hidalgo state - remain hospitalized at IMSS institutions in the capital, Mexico state, and Hidalgo, the service said in a statement. The blast occurred last Friday night, hours after hundreds of Tlahuelilpan residents gathered near a pipeline to collect fuel after thieves had drilled a hole in the duct. Army soldiers had arrived at the scene prior to the explosion but were unable to control the large crowd. Stealing fuel from pipelines owned by state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and re-selling it on the black market has become a major criminal enterprise in Mexico. This form of theft cost Mexico some $3.4 billion last year, according to official figures. Since his December 1, 2018, inauguration, leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has launched an all-out fight against the racket, deploying thousands of police and troops to increase the surveillance of pipelines. The administration also adopted a change in Pemex's method for shipping gasoline and diesel from refineries to urban distribution centres, opting to transport more fuel via tanker trucks instead of pipelines. That modification has caused severe supply problems in at least 10 states and Mexico City and led to the closing of service stations and panic purchases. In parallel with those steps, Lopez Obrador presented Tuesday a plan to provide economic aid to communities along the routes to discourage residents from illegally tapping into the conduits. The plan is expected to benefit 1.68 million people in 91 municipalities and has an estimated price tag of 3.86 billion pesos ($187 million). The goal is to alleviate poverty and end the need for people to tap the pipelines to get fuel, the president said.

Death toll from Mexico pipeline blast stands at 100

Seven bodies have been recovered so far after a four-storey building collapsed at Ullawas locality in Haryana`s Gurugram, adjoining the national capital.

The incident occurred around 5 am on Thursday.

Several others are feared trapped under the debris.

Rescue operation is underway to pull out safely those trapped.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced financial assistance of Rs three lakh to the family members of the victims who died in the building collapse incident.

Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to the site to rescue those trapped under the rubble.

State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel are also at the spot to assist in the rescue operation.&nbsp;

Seven bodies have been recovered so far after a four-storey building collapsed at Ullawas locality in Haryana`s Gurugram, adjoining the national capital. The incident occurred around 5 am on Thursday.

Seven bodies have been recovered so far after a four-storey building collapsed at Ullawas locality in Haryana`s Gurugram, adjoining the national capital. The incident occurred around 5 am on Thursday. Several others are feared trapped under the debris. Rescue operation is underway to pull out safely those trapped. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced financial assistance of Rs three lakh to the family members of the victims who died in the building collapse incident. Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to the site to rescue those trapped under the rubble. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel are also at the spot to assist in the rescue operation.

Gurugram building collapse: Police recover 7 bodies, several feared trapped

Two more bodies were recovered on Saturday from the site where an avalanche struck two trucks in Ladakh, taking the death toll to seven, officials said.

"Another two bodies have been recovered at Khardungla avalanche site. In total, seven bodies have been recovered so far," a State Disaster Management Department official said. He said search was in progress for the remaining three persons.

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Ladakh: The Khardung La Rescue Operations by the Fire &amp; Fury Corps re-commenced at first light today to search for the missing five civilians who were buried under an avalanche on 18 January near Khardung La Top. Bodies of 2 more civilians recovered; 7 bodies recovered till now <a href="https://t.co/GucyBd3Suy">pic.twitter.com/GucyBd3Suy</a>
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The official said arrangements have been made to airlift the bodies to Zanskar tehsil.

The avalanche on Friday morning hit the two trucks carrying 10 persons at Khardungla pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world at 17,500 feet.

The trucks were buried under debris 20 feet deep, nearly 800 metres from Khardungla Top towards South Pullu. Five bodies were recovered on Friday.&nbsp;

Two more bodies were recovered on Saturday from the site where an avalanche struck two trucks in Ladakh, taking the death toll to seven, officials said. "Another two bodies have been recovered at Khardungla avalanche site.

Two more bodies were recovered on Saturday from the site where an avalanche struck two trucks in Ladakh, taking the death toll to seven, officials said. "Another two bodies have been recovered at Khardungla avalanche site. In total, seven bodies have been recovered so far," a State Disaster Management Department official said. He said search was in progress for the remaining three persons. Ladakh: The Khardung La Rescue Operations by the Fire & Fury Corps re-commenced at first light today to search for the missing five civilians who were buried under an avalanche on 18 January near Khardung La Top. Bodies of 2 more civilians recovered; 7 bodies recovered till now pic.twitter.com/GucyBd3Suy — ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2019 × The official said arrangements have been made to airlift the bodies to Zanskar tehsil. The avalanche on Friday morning hit the two trucks carrying 10 persons at Khardungla pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world at 17,500 feet. The trucks were buried under debris 20 feet deep, nearly 800 metres from Khardungla Top towards South Pullu. Five bodies were recovered on Friday.

Ladakh avalanche: Two more bodies recovered from site, death toll rises to seven

The death toll from the cold front which has been battering Greece in the first days of the new year rose to three on Sunday, local authorities said.

Firemen retrieved the bodies of two men, aged 66 and 67, at the outskirts of Keratea town, 30 km southeast of Athens, according to a Fire Brigade announcement.

On Saturday, search squads also found the body of a 66-year-old woman, one of the victims' spouse.

They were all riding a car when a heavy storm hit the area on Thursday.

As the cold front named "Sophia", which was sweeping across Greece from Tuesday bringing snowfall and downpour in many parts of the country, receded on Sunday, Greece's national weather service warned that a new low-pressure weather system was due to hit the country on Monday evening.

"Telemachos", as meteorologists have named the new cold front, was forecast to bring snowfall in Athens and southern Greece, after "Sophia" caused travel disruptions in the northern and central regions of the country.

The lowest temperature of minus 19 Celsius degree was recorded on Sunday at Florina town in northern Greece.

The death toll from the cold front which has been battering Greece in the first days of the new year rose to three on Sunday, local authorities said. Firemen retrieved the bodies of two men, aged 66 and 67, at the outskirts of Keratea town, 30 km southeast of Athens, according to a Fire Brigade announcement.

The death toll from the cold front which has been battering Greece in the first days of the new year rose to three on Sunday, local authorities said. Firemen retrieved the bodies of two men, aged 66 and 67, at the outskirts of Keratea town, 30 km southeast of Athens, according to a Fire Brigade announcement. On Saturday, search squads also found the body of a 66-year-old woman, one of the victims' spouse. They were all riding a car when a heavy storm hit the area on Thursday. As the cold front named "Sophia", which was sweeping across Greece from Tuesday bringing snowfall and downpour in many parts of the country, receded on Sunday, Greece's national weather service warned that a new low-pressure weather system was due to hit the country on Monday evening. "Telemachos", as meteorologists have named the new cold front, was forecast to bring snowfall in Athens and southern Greece, after "Sophia" caused travel disruptions in the northern and central regions of the country. The lowest temperature of minus 19 Celsius degree was recorded on Sunday at Florina town in northern Greece.

Death toll from cold front in Greece rises to three

Eighteen dead bodies have been recovered from the debris of an apartment block in Russia that partially collapsed in an apparent explosion, while 23 people remained unaccounted for, the regional emergencies ministry told Reuters on Wednesday.

The blast, initially thought to have been caused by a gas leak, damaged 48 apartments in a 10-story building in the industrial city of Magnitogorsk in the early hours on Monday, 1,700 km (1,050 miles) east of Moscow.

A baby boy was found alive on Tuesday after 35 hours spent in freezing cold in the rubble, in what emergency officials described as a miracle.

In a separate incident late on Tuesday, three people died on the same street where the building collapsed, when a minibus became engulfed in flames, TASS news agency reported citing the local government office.

Video footage purporting to show the incident, posted on social media sites, shows a burning vehicle and some bangs are heard. A police spokesman declined to comment when contacted by phone.

The reason behind the collapse of the apartment block is still being investigated, the Investigative Committee, which probes into major cries, said on its website.

It said no trace of explosives materials had been found so far on the site. The initial reports put a possible gas leak behind the collapse.

There have been several similar incidents in the country in recent years due to aging infrastructure and poor safety regulations about gas usage

Eighteen dead bodies have been recovered from the debris of an apartment block in Russia that partially collapsed in an apparent explosion, while 23 people remained unaccounted for, the regional emergencies ministry told Reuters on Wednesday.

Eighteen dead bodies have been recovered from the debris of an apartment block in Russia that partially collapsed in an apparent explosion, while 23 people remained unaccounted for, the regional emergencies ministry told Reuters on Wednesday. The blast, initially thought to have been caused by a gas leak, damaged 48 apartments in a 10-story building in the industrial city of Magnitogorsk in the early hours on Monday, 1,700 km (1,050 miles) east of Moscow. A baby boy was found alive on Tuesday after 35 hours spent in freezing cold in the rubble, in what emergency officials described as a miracle. In a separate incident late on Tuesday, three people died on the same street where the building collapsed, when a minibus became engulfed in flames, TASS news agency reported citing the local government office. Video footage purporting to show the incident, posted on social media sites, shows a burning vehicle and some bangs are heard. A police spokesman declined to comment when contacted by phone. The reason behind the collapse of the apartment block is still being investigated, the Investigative Committee, which probes into major cries, said on its website. It said no trace of explosives materials had been found so far on the site. The initial reports put a possible gas leak behind the collapse. There have been several similar incidents in the country in recent years due to aging infrastructure and poor safety regulations about gas usage

Death toll rises to 18 in Russian apartment block collapse

Death toll from quake that hit Indonesian island mounts to 430

The death toll in northern California's "Camp Fire" rose to 87, officials said late Saturday, adding that the blaze was almost fully under control.

The number of people still missing after a northern California wildfire obliterated the mountain town of Paradise, dropped to 249 on Sunday, the Butte County Sheriff's Office said.

Cal Fire, the state fire authority, said in its latest bulletin that the fire - which broke out on November 8 - was 98 per cent contained.

As of 19th November, the fire has torched more than 151,000 acres (61,107 hectares) of drought-parched scrub and trees, incinerating some 12,000 homes along the way, Cal fire said.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea has warned that remains of some victims may never be found.

The town of Paradise was a popular destination for retirees, with people aged 65 or older accounting for a quarter of its 27,000 residents. Most of the victims of the fire identified so far were of retirement age.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire.&nbsp;

Thousands of people forced to flee Paradise spent Thanksgiving in warehouses in the nearby city of Chico, or with friends or relatives in nearby towns.&nbsp;

The death toll in northern California's "Camp Fire" rose to 87, officials said late Saturday, adding that the blaze was almost fully under control. The number of people still missing after a northern California wildfire obliterated the mountain town of Paradise, dropped to 249 on Sunday, the Butte County Sheriff's Office said.

The death toll in northern California's "Camp Fire" rose to 87, officials said late Saturday, adding that the blaze was almost fully under control. The number of people still missing after a northern California wildfire obliterated the mountain town of Paradise, dropped to 249 on Sunday, the Butte County Sheriff's Office said. Cal Fire, the state fire authority, said in its latest bulletin that the fire - which broke out on November 8 - was 98 per cent contained. As of 19th November, the fire has torched more than 151,000 acres (61,107 hectares) of drought-parched scrub and trees, incinerating some 12,000 homes along the way, Cal fire said. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea has warned that remains of some victims may never be found. The town of Paradise was a popular destination for retirees, with people aged 65 or older accounting for a quarter of its 27,000 residents. Most of the victims of the fire identified so far were of retirement age. Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire. Thousands of people forced to flee Paradise spent Thanksgiving in warehouses in the nearby city of Chico, or with friends or relatives in nearby towns.

California wildfires: Death toll rises to 87 with 249 still missing

Authorities on Monday redoubled efforts to find more victims of the deadliest wildfire in California history and to account for nearly 1,000 people listed as missing, with forecast rains likely to hinder the search and raise the risk of mudslides.

Remains of 79 victims have been recovered since the Camp Fire erupted on November 8 and largely obliterated the Sierra foothills hamlet of Paradise, a town of nearly 27,000 people about 175 miles (280 km) north of San Francisco.

The latest official death toll, which has climbed steadily over the past week, was announced by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) a day after the Butte County Sheriff's Office reduced the number of names on its missing-persons list to 993, down from 1,276 on Saturday.

That roster has fluctuated dramatically over the past week as additional individuals were reported missing, or as some initially listed as unaccounted for either turn up alive or end up being identified among the dead.

Sheriff Kory Honea has said some people have been added to the list more than once at times under variant spellings of their names.

As of Monday, the fire has torched more than 151,000 acres (61,107 hectares) of drought-parched scrub and trees, incinerating some 12,000 homes along the way, Cal Fire said.

But firefighters in recent days have gained significant ground against the blaze, carving containment lines around 70 per cent of its perimeter, according to the agency.

Efforts to further suppress the flames were likely to benefit from a storm expected to dump as much as 4 inches (10 cm) of rain north of San Francisco between late Tuesday and Friday, said Patrick Burke, a National Weather Service forecaster.

'MUDDY, MUSHY MESS'

But heavy showers carry the potential for unleashing dangerous mudslides in newly burned areas while also making it more difficult for forensic teams sifting through cinders and debris in search of additional human remains.

Colleen Fitzpatrick, founder of the California-based consulting company Identifinders International, said the expected rain will turn the site into a "muddy, mushy mess," slick with wet ash.

"It's going to coat things and stick to things, and it's going to make it a lot harder to find remains," she said. "There's really nothing that can be done about this. The workers looking for remains are going to be stuck with this."

Pathologists from the University of Nevada, Reno worked through the weekend as firefighters peeled back debris, collecting bits of burned bones and photographing everything that might help identify victims.

The elevated risk of mudslides could also increase the misery factor for evacuees, some of whom are living in tents or camping out of their cars. Residents who only recently were permitted back in homes that survived the fire may be ordered to evacuate again if they live downslope from badly burned areas.

Intense fire over the slopes of canyons, hills and mountains makes them more prone to catastrophic erosion in the form of landslides, by burning away vegetation and organic material that normally holds soil in place. The fire also creates a hard, waxy surface that tends to repel rather than absorb water.

The result can be heavy runoff of rainwater mixed with mud, boulders, trees and other debris that flow downhill with tremendous force, said Jason Kean, a research hydrologist for the US Geological Survey.

"Those debris flows have the consistency of wet concrete and move faster than you can run," he said. "It's like a flood on steroids ... and a big one can take out two-story buildings."

The number of people in need of temporary shelter was not clear, but as many as 52,000 people had been under evacuation orders at the height of the firestorm last week.

Nearly 500 (800 km) south of Paradise near Malibu, west of Los Angeles, at least 2 inches of rain are expected to fall on a second fire, the Woolsey, which has killed three people. That blaze was 94 per cent contained by Monday morning.

Malibu's power supply was cut off on Monday to allow for repairs, the Los Angeles County sheriff's office said.

The cause of both fires is under investigation, but electric utilities reported localized equipment problems around the time they broke out.

PG&amp;E Corp has said it could face liability that exceeds its insurance coverage if its equipment were found to have caused the Camp Fire.

Authorities on Monday redoubled efforts to find more victims of the deadliest wildfire in California history and to account for nearly 1,000 people listed as missing, with forecast rains likely to hinder the search and raise the risk of mudslides.

Authorities on Monday redoubled efforts to find more victims of the deadliest wildfire in California history and to account for nearly 1,000 people listed as missing, with forecast rains likely to hinder the search and raise the risk of mudslides. Remains of 79 victims have been recovered since the Camp Fire erupted on November 8 and largely obliterated the Sierra foothills hamlet of Paradise, a town of nearly 27,000 people about 175 miles (280 km) north of San Francisco. The latest official death toll, which has climbed steadily over the past week, was announced by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) a day after the Butte County Sheriff's Office reduced the number of names on its missing-persons list to 993, down from 1,276 on Saturday. That roster has fluctuated dramatically over the past week as additional individuals were reported missing, or as some initially listed as unaccounted for either turn up alive or end up being identified among the dead. Sheriff Kory Honea has said some people have been added to the list more than once at times under variant spellings of their names. As of Monday, the fire has torched more than 151,000 acres (61,107 hectares) of drought-parched scrub and trees, incinerating some 12,000 homes along the way, Cal Fire said. But firefighters in recent days have gained significant ground against the blaze, carving containment lines around 70 per cent of its perimeter, according to the agency. Efforts to further suppress the flames were likely to benefit from a storm expected to dump as much as 4 inches (10 cm) of rain north of San Francisco between late Tuesday and Friday, said Patrick Burke, a National Weather Service forecaster. 'MUDDY, MUSHY MESS' But heavy showers carry the potential for unleashing dangerous mudslides in newly burned areas while also making it more difficult for forensic teams sifting through cinders and debris in search of additional human remains. Colleen Fitzpatrick, founder of the California-based consulting company Identifinders International, said the expected rain will turn the site into a "muddy, mushy mess," slick with wet ash. "It's going to coat things and stick to things, and it's going to make it a lot harder to find remains," she said. "There's really nothing that can be done about this. The workers looking for remains are going to be stuck with this." Pathologists from the University of Nevada, Reno worked through the weekend as firefighters peeled back debris, collecting bits of burned bones and photographing everything that might help identify victims. The elevated risk of mudslides could also increase the misery factor for evacuees, some of whom are living in tents or camping out of their cars. Residents who only recently were permitted back in homes that survived the fire may be ordered to evacuate again if they live downslope from badly burned areas. Intense fire over the slopes of canyons, hills and mountains makes them more prone to catastrophic erosion in the form of landslides, by burning away vegetation and organic material that normally holds soil in place. The fire also creates a hard, waxy surface that tends to repel rather than absorb water. The result can be heavy runoff of rainwater mixed with mud, boulders, trees and other debris that flow downhill with tremendous force, said Jason Kean, a research hydrologist for the US Geological Survey. "Those debris flows have the consistency of wet concrete and move faster than you can run," he said. "It's like a flood on steroids ... and a big one can take out two-story buildings." The number of people in need of temporary shelter was not clear, but as many as 52,000 people had been under evacuation orders at the height of the firestorm last week. Nearly 500 (800 km) south of Paradise near Malibu, west of Los Angeles, at least 2 inches of rain are expected to fall on a second fire, the Woolsey, which has killed three people. That blaze was 94 per cent contained by Monday morning. Malibu's power supply was cut off on Monday to allow for repairs, the Los Angeles County sheriff's office said. The cause of both fires is under investigation, but electric utilities reported localized equipment problems around the time they broke out. PG&E Corp has said it could face liability that exceeds its insurance coverage if its equipment were found to have caused the Camp Fire.

Death toll rises to 79 in California wildfire, over 900 still missing

The remains of six more victims were found on Tuesday in and around a northern <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/everything-destroyed-as-wildfire-scorches-paradise-in-california-176328">California town overrun by flames last week</a>, raising the death toll to 48 in a wildfire disaster already ranked as California's most lethal and destructive in state history.

The latest tally of casualties from the Camp Fire was announced by Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea as forensic teams with cadaver dogs combed through a ghostly landscape strewn with ash and charred debris in Paradise, California, in the Sierra foothills about 175 miles (280 km) north of San Francisco.

The intensified effort to locate victims came on the sixth day of a blaze that incinerated over 7,000 homes and other buildings, including most of Paradise, a town once home to 27,000 people.

Honea had previously said that 228 people were listed as missing, and his office also was working to determine the fate of nearly 1,300 individuals whose loved ones had requested "well-being checks" on their behalf.

By Tuesday, the killer blaze dubbed the Camp Fire had blackened 125,000 acres (50,500 hectares) of drought-parched scrub, up 8,000 acres from the night before, but crews had carved containment lines around nearly a third of the fire's expanding perimeter.

More than 50,000 area residents remained under evacuation orders and 15,500 structures were still listed as threatened by the blaze.

However, diminished winds and higher humidity levels allowed crews to make headway against the flames, fire officials said.

The news was likewise more upbeat on the southern end of California's wildfire front, where a blaze called the Woolsey Fire has killed two people, destroyed over 400 structures and displaced some 200,000 people in the mountains and foothills near the Malibu coast west of Los Angeles.

The remains of six more victims were found on Tuesday in and around a northern California town overrun by flames last week, raising the death toll to 48 in a wildfire disaster already ranked as California's most lethal and destructive in state history.

The remains of six more victims were found on Tuesday in and around a northern California town overrun by flames last week, raising the death toll to 48 in a wildfire disaster already ranked as California's most lethal and destructive in state history. The latest tally of casualties from the Camp Fire was announced by Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea as forensic teams with cadaver dogs combed through a ghostly landscape strewn with ash and charred debris in Paradise, California, in the Sierra foothills about 175 miles (280 km) north of San Francisco. The intensified effort to locate victims came on the sixth day of a blaze that incinerated over 7,000 homes and other buildings, including most of Paradise, a town once home to 27,000 people. Honea had previously said that 228 people were listed as missing, and his office also was working to determine the fate of nearly 1,300 individuals whose loved ones had requested "well-being checks" on their behalf. By Tuesday, the killer blaze dubbed the Camp Fire had blackened 125,000 acres (50,500 hectares) of drought-parched scrub, up 8,000 acres from the night before, but crews had carved containment lines around nearly a third of the fire's expanding perimeter. More than 50,000 area residents remained under evacuation orders and 15,500 structures were still listed as threatened by the blaze. However, diminished winds and higher humidity levels allowed crews to make headway against the flames, fire officials said. The news was likewise more upbeat on the southern end of California's wildfire front, where a blaze called the Woolsey Fire has killed two people, destroyed over 400 structures and displaced some 200,000 people in the mountains and foothills near the Malibu coast west of Los Angeles.

Death toll climbs to 48 in California's wildfire disaster

The death toll in a raging California wildfire has reached 29, matching the deadliest in the state's history as firefighters battling blazes at both ends of the state on Monday braced for strong winds.

The "Camp Fire" -- in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains north of Sacramento -- is the largest and most destructive of several infernos that have broken out.

The flames have sent 250,000 people fleeing their homes across the tinder-dry state and razed 6,400 homes in the town of Paradise, effectively wiping it off the map.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea announced the new death toll at a news conference Sunday, adding that all were found in Paradise area.

At least 31 people have died in fire zones in north and south California, where acrid smoke blanketed the sky for miles, the sun barely visible.&nbsp;

On the ground, cars caught in the flames were reduced to scorched metal skeletons, while homes were left as smoldering piles of debris, with an occasional brick wall or chimney remaining.

Some 200 people remained unaccounted for in the Paradise area alone, officials said. Several fire-affected areas were left without cell phone service.

The fire matched the 1933 Griffith Park disaster in Los Angeles -- until now the single deadliest wildfire on record, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

At the southern end of the state, the "Woolsey Fire" has destroyed mansions and mobile homes in the coastal celebrity redoubt of Malibu, where the death toll has been limited to two victims found in a vehicle on a private driveway.

The National Weather Service has issued a "Red Flag" alert for fire-affected Los Angeles and Ventura County.

The service warned of "EXTREMELY CRITICAL Fire Weather Conditions through Tuesday."

It said winds of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour were expected in the coastal region, and up to 60 mph (96 kph) in mountainous areas.

'The new abnormal'&nbsp;

The "Camp Fire" has scorched&nbsp;111,000 acres (45,000 hectares) and is 25 percent contained, Cal Fire said. So far, three of the more than 4,000 firefighters deployed have been injured.

Evacuation orders have been issued to more than a quarter of a million people across California.

While some Malibu-area residents were allowed to return home late Sunday, the entire city of Calabasas -- just northeast of Malibu -- came under evacuation orders.

"This is not the new normal, this is the new abnormal. And this new abnormal will continue, certainly in the next 10 to 15 to 20 years," California Governor Jerry Brown said Sunday.

"Unfortunately, the best science is telling us that the dryness, warmth, drought, all those things, they're going to intensify."

&nbsp;'Dangerously wrong'&nbsp;

President Donald Trump drew fierce criticism for an unsympathetic reaction to the devastation.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," Trump tweeted, threatening to withdraw federal support.

Brian Rice, the head of the California Professional Firefighters, slammed the tweet as "ill-informed, ill-timed and demeaning to those who are suffering as well as the men and women on the front lines."

He said the president's claim that forest policies were mismanaged "is dangerously wrong."

Celebrity aid for pets&nbsp;

The "Woolsey Fire" engulfed parts of Thousand Oaks, where the community is still shell-shocked after a Marine Corps veteran shot dead 12 people in a country music bar on Wednesday.

The blaze has consumed around 85,500 acres, destroyed at least 177 buildings and was 15 percent contained, Cal Fire said.

Singer Miley Cyrus's home was one of the buildings destroyed in southern California.&nbsp;

"Completely devestated (sic) by the fires affecting my community. I am one of the lucky ones. My animals and LOVE OF MY LIFE made it out safely &amp; that's all that matters right now," she tweeted.&nbsp;

"My house no longer stands but the memories shared with family &amp; friends stand strong."

Many of the southern California area's residents own horses, and for the past days Twitter has been filled with messages of people seeking and offering help.

Actor James Woods, a rare political conservative in liberal Hollywood, has made new friends by using his Twitter account to help find missing people and getting help for pets, including horses.

"Please think about fostering #pets while evacuees are dealing with the crisis. Los Angeles #animal shelters are mostly filled, so follow my hashtags, and see if someone in need is someone you can help!" read one of his tweets.

The Ventura County Humane Society said it was "deeply humbled by a $100,000 donation from (actress) Sandra Bullock and family" to rescue and care for animals evacuated from the fires.

The death toll in a raging California wildfire has reached 29, matching the deadliest in the state's history as firefighters battling blazes at both ends of the state on Monday braced for strong winds.

The death toll in a raging California wildfire has reached 29, matching the deadliest in the state's history as firefighters battling blazes at both ends of the state on Monday braced for strong winds. The "Camp Fire" -- in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains north of Sacramento -- is the largest and most destructive of several infernos that have broken out. The flames have sent 250,000 people fleeing their homes across the tinder-dry state and razed 6,400 homes in the town of Paradise, effectively wiping it off the map. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea announced the new death toll at a news conference Sunday, adding that all were found in Paradise area. At least 31 people have died in fire zones in north and south California, where acrid smoke blanketed the sky for miles, the sun barely visible. On the ground, cars caught in the flames were reduced to scorched metal skeletons, while homes were left as smoldering piles of debris, with an occasional brick wall or chimney remaining. Some 200 people remained unaccounted for in the Paradise area alone, officials said. Several fire-affected areas were left without cell phone service. The fire matched the 1933 Griffith Park disaster in Los Angeles -- until now the single deadliest wildfire on record, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). At the southern end of the state, the "Woolsey Fire" has destroyed mansions and mobile homes in the coastal celebrity redoubt of Malibu, where the death toll has been limited to two victims found in a vehicle on a private driveway. The National Weather Service has issued a "Red Flag" alert for fire-affected Los Angeles and Ventura County. The service warned of "EXTREMELY CRITICAL Fire Weather Conditions through Tuesday." It said winds of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour were expected in the coastal region, and up to 60 mph (96 kph) in mountainous areas. 'The new abnormal' The "Camp Fire" has scorched 111,000 acres (45,000 hectares) and is 25 percent contained, Cal Fire said. So far, three of the more than 4,000 firefighters deployed have been injured. Evacuation orders have been issued to more than a quarter of a million people across California. While some Malibu-area residents were allowed to return home late Sunday, the entire city of Calabasas -- just northeast of Malibu -- came under evacuation orders. "This is not the new normal, this is the new abnormal. And this new abnormal will continue, certainly in the next 10 to 15 to 20 years," California Governor Jerry Brown said Sunday. "Unfortunately, the best science is telling us that the dryness, warmth, drought, all those things, they're going to intensify." 'Dangerously wrong' President Donald Trump drew fierce criticism for an unsympathetic reaction to the devastation. "There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," Trump tweeted, threatening to withdraw federal support. Brian Rice, the head of the California Professional Firefighters, slammed the tweet as "ill-informed, ill-timed and demeaning to those who are suffering as well as the men and women on the front lines." He said the president's claim that forest policies were mismanaged "is dangerously wrong." Celebrity aid for pets The "Woolsey Fire" engulfed parts of Thousand Oaks, where the community is still shell-shocked after a Marine Corps veteran shot dead 12 people in a country music bar on Wednesday. The blaze has consumed around 85,500 acres, destroyed at least 177 buildings and was 15 percent contained, Cal Fire said. Singer Miley Cyrus's home was one of the buildings destroyed in southern California. "Completely devestated (sic) by the fires affecting my community. I am one of the lucky ones. My animals and LOVE OF MY LIFE made it out safely & that's all that matters right now," she tweeted. "My house no longer stands but the memories shared with family & friends stand strong." Many of the southern California area's residents own horses, and for the past days Twitter has been filled with messages of people seeking and offering help. Actor James Woods, a rare political conservative in liberal Hollywood, has made new friends by using his Twitter account to help find missing people and getting help for pets, including horses. "Please think about fostering #pets while evacuees are dealing with the crisis. Los Angeles #animal shelters are mostly filled, so follow my hashtags, and see if someone in need is someone you can help!" read one of his tweets. The Ventura County Humane Society said it was "deeply humbled by a $100,000 donation from (actress) Sandra Bullock and family" to rescue and care for animals evacuated from the fires.

California wildfire toll matches deadliest ever with 29 victims

Jordanian rescuers on Monday found the body of a five-year-old girl killed in flash floods that have left a total of 13 people dead in the kingdom, the civil defence said.

On Friday torrential rains swept the south of the country, forcing nearly 4,000 tourists to flee the famed desert city of Petra and causing damage to roads, homes and vehicles.

Authorities mobilised emergency services and the armed forces to assist people stricken by rising waters and search for those missing.

The five-year-old girl had disappeared in the Madaba region south of the capital Amman when the car she was in was swept away by flooding, the civil defence said.

The discovery of her body on Monday raised the overall death toll since Friday to 13, including a diver for the emergency services, civil defence head Mustafa al-Bazaiha told state television.

Twenty-nine people have been injured, including four members of the civil defence and four from the security forces, he said.

Search operations that had been under way since Friday were now over, he added.

Bad weather has battered the region in recent days.

In Kuwait a man was killed on Saturday as he tried to rescue his family from their flooded home.

Last month flash floods in the Dead Sea region of Jordan killed 21 people, most of them children on a school trip, prompting the ministers of tourism and education to resign over failings in the government's response.

Jordanian rescuers on Monday found the body of a five-year-old girl killed in flash floods that have left a total of 13 people dead in the kingdom, the civil defence said.

Jordanian rescuers on Monday found the body of a five-year-old girl killed in flash floods that have left a total of 13 people dead in the kingdom, the civil defence said. On Friday torrential rains swept the south of the country, forcing nearly 4,000 tourists to flee the famed desert city of Petra and causing damage to roads, homes and vehicles. Authorities mobilised emergency services and the armed forces to assist people stricken by rising waters and search for those missing. The five-year-old girl had disappeared in the Madaba region south of the capital Amman when the car she was in was swept away by flooding, the civil defence said. The discovery of her body on Monday raised the overall death toll since Friday to 13, including a diver for the emergency services, civil defence head Mustafa al-Bazaiha told state television. Twenty-nine people have been injured, including four members of the civil defence and four from the security forces, he said. Search operations that had been under way since Friday were now over, he added. Bad weather has battered the region in recent days. In Kuwait a man was killed on Saturday as he tried to rescue his family from their flooded home. Last month flash floods in the Dead Sea region of Jordan killed 21 people, most of them children on a school trip, prompting the ministers of tourism and education to resign over failings in the government's response.

Death toll from Jordan floods rises to 13 as girl's body found

The death toll from a series of car bombings near a popular hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu has jumped to at least 41, police said on Saturday.

Friday's attack was the latest in a wave of bombings by Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate which has been fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed Somali government for over a decade.

Twin car bombs exploded within moments of each other, followed by gunfire and a third blast, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky.

Police official Ibrahim Mohamed said that information received from various hospitals indicated that the number of dead had reached 41, with another 106 wounded.

"Most of these people were civilians and nearly 20 of them died in minibuses that were passing by the road when the blast occurred," he added.

Another security official, Abdirahman Osman, told AFP that nearly 50 had been confirmed dead so far, although the final number was not yet known.

Officials on Friday had put the death toll at about 20.

The death toll from a series of car bombings near a popular hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu has jumped to at least 41, police said on Saturday. Friday's attack was the latest in a wave of bombings by Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate which has been fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed Somali government for over a decade.

The death toll from a series of car bombings near a popular hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu has jumped to at least 41, police said on Saturday. Friday's attack was the latest in a wave of bombings by Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate which has been fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed Somali government for over a decade. Twin car bombs exploded within moments of each other, followed by gunfire and a third blast, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky. Police official Ibrahim Mohamed said that information received from various hospitals indicated that the number of dead had reached 41, with another 106 wounded. "Most of these people were civilians and nearly 20 of them died in minibuses that were passing by the road when the blast occurred," he added. Another security official, Abdirahman Osman, told AFP that nearly 50 had been confirmed dead so far, although the final number was not yet known. Officials on Friday had put the death toll at about 20.

Death toll from Mogadishu bombings jumps to over 40

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 164 lives, according to health authorities.

In mid-October, Congolese authorities said they were facing a "second wave" of the outbreak centred on Beni, a town in North Kivu near the border with Uganda.

The epicentre had earlier been focussed on Mangina, a town around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Beni.

In total, 257 cases had been recorded in the region, of which 222 were confirmed and 35 were probable, since the start of the outbreak at the beginning of August, the Congolese Health Ministry said in a bulletin dated Friday.

On October 17, the World Health Organisation said the death toll stood at 139, although it said the outbreak did not yet merit being labelled a global health emergency.

The second wave of the deadly virus has been attributed to community resistance to measures already taken to tackle the disease.

On Thursday, around 1,000 students marched through the streets of Beni to launch a campaign to fight Ebola.

Since a vaccination programme began on August 8, over 22,000 people have been innoculated, of whom around 11,000 were in Beni, the health ministry said.

An Ebola treatment centre in the city now had more than 60 beds, it added.

The latest outbreak is the 10th in DR Congo since Ebola was first detected there in 1976.

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 164 lives, according to health authorities. In mid-October, Congolese authorities said they were facing a "second wave" of the outbreak centred on Beni, a town in North Kivu near the border with Uganda.

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 164 lives, according to health authorities. In mid-October, Congolese authorities said they were facing a "second wave" of the outbreak centred on Beni, a town in North Kivu near the border with Uganda. The epicentre had earlier been focussed on Mangina, a town around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Beni. In total, 257 cases had been recorded in the region, of which 222 were confirmed and 35 were probable, since the start of the outbreak at the beginning of August, the Congolese Health Ministry said in a bulletin dated Friday. On October 17, the World Health Organisation said the death toll stood at 139, although it said the outbreak did not yet merit being labelled a global health emergency. The second wave of the deadly virus has been attributed to community resistance to measures already taken to tackle the disease. On Thursday, around 1,000 students marched through the streets of Beni to launch a campaign to fight Ebola. Since a vaccination programme began on August 8, over 22,000 people have been innoculated, of whom around 11,000 were in Beni, the health ministry said. An Ebola treatment centre in the city now had more than 60 beds, it added. The latest outbreak is the 10th in DR Congo since Ebola was first detected there in 1976.

DR Congo Ebola death toll rises to 164

A 19-year-old man injured in Friday's train tragedy succumbed to his wounds at a hospital here Sunday, taking the death toll to 62.

Municipal Councillor Rajinder Saini said Harsh, a resident of ward number 24, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening.

However, the death could not be confirmed from the district authorities.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said that 59 people had died, while Sub-Divisonal Magistrate Amritsar Rajesh Sharma had put the toll at 61 on that day.

The tragic incident took place on Friday evening when a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching the burning of a Ravana effigy was run over by a train near Joda Phatak here.

At least 300 people were watching the 'Ravana dahan' at a ground adjacent to the tracks.

A 19-year-old man injured in Friday's train tragedy succumbed to his wounds at a hospital here Sunday, taking the death toll to 62. Municipal Councillor Rajinder Saini said Harsh, a resident of ward number 24, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening.

A 19-year-old man injured in Friday's train tragedy succumbed to his wounds at a hospital here Sunday, taking the death toll to 62. Municipal Councillor Rajinder Saini said Harsh, a resident of ward number 24, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening. However, the death could not be confirmed from the district authorities. On Saturday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said that 59 people had died, while Sub-Divisonal Magistrate Amritsar Rajesh Sharma had put the toll at 61 on that day. The tragic incident took place on Friday evening when a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching the burning of a Ravana effigy was run over by a train near Joda Phatak here. At least 300 people were watching the 'Ravana dahan' at a ground adjacent to the tracks.

Amritsar train tragedy: One more succumbs to injuries; death toll 62

The death toll has risen to 20 people on Sunday following two suspected suicide bombers that struck in the southern Somali city of Baidoa on Saturday, a local hospital official said.

"We received 20 dead people and about 40 others injured from the twin blasts of yesterday," Abdifatah Hashi, the general manager of Baidoa city hospital told reporters on Sunday.

Al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab militants, who want to topple Somalia's Western-backed central government and impose their own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

"What seems to be two suicide bombers blew themselves up in two restaurants in Baidoa," Ali Aden, a police officer in the city, told Reuters on Saturday.

Residents of Baidoa told Reuters they heard two loud blasts in the early evening, followed by huge plumes of the smoke.

The al Shabaab militants had targeted the two restaurants because they were frequented by government troops, Abdiasis abu Musab, the group's spokesman for military operations, told Reuters.

The attacks follow a U.S. air strike against al Shabaab militants in Haradere, a district in Galmudug region.

The U.S. military's Africa Command said on Saturday it was still assessing the impact of the strike, which was carried out on Friday together with the Somali military.

Somalia has been engulfed by violence and lawlessness since the early 1990s after the toppling of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

The death toll has risen to 20 people on Sunday following two suspected suicide bombers that struck in the southern Somali city of Baidoa on Saturday, a local hospital official said.

The death toll has risen to 20 people on Sunday following two suspected suicide bombers that struck in the southern Somali city of Baidoa on Saturday, a local hospital official said. "We received 20 dead people and about 40 others injured from the twin blasts of yesterday," Abdifatah Hashi, the general manager of Baidoa city hospital told reporters on Sunday. Al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab militants, who want to topple Somalia's Western-backed central government and impose their own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law, claimed responsibility for the attacks. "What seems to be two suicide bombers blew themselves up in two restaurants in Baidoa," Ali Aden, a police officer in the city, told Reuters on Saturday. Residents of Baidoa told Reuters they heard two loud blasts in the early evening, followed by huge plumes of the smoke. The al Shabaab militants had targeted the two restaurants because they were frequented by government troops, Abdiasis abu Musab, the group's spokesman for military operations, told Reuters. The attacks follow a U.S. air strike against al Shabaab militants in Haradere, a district in Galmudug region. The U.S. military's Africa Command said on Saturday it was still assessing the impact of the strike, which was carried out on Friday together with the Somali military. Somalia has been engulfed by violence and lawlessness since the early 1990s after the toppling of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Death toll rises to 20 after suicide bombings in southern Somalia

Humanitarian workers are struggling to calm community fears in strife-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where 125 people have died of Ebola, and cases of the virus are spreading fast.

The World Health Organization said Friday that 200 cases of the deadly virus have been registered in the outbreak first detected on August 1, with 165 of them laboratory confirmed and 35 considered probable.

The UN agency voiced concern over the swelling number of cases in recent weeks, especially in the town of Beni, near the Ugandan border.

"Insecurity that has increased in the city is one of the reasons why we are seeing these new cases coming up," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva.

The latest outbreak -- the 10th in DR Congo since Ebola was first detected there in 1976 -- emerged in the highly-restive northeastern region of North Kivu, which is home to a clutch of armed groups.

The authorities in Beni have announced measures to protect health workers after a number of incidents where response teams were assaulted.

Fears and misconceptions about the virus have led to widespread mistrust and resistance to Ebola response workers, including those who come into communities wearing hazmat suits to orchestrate burials.

UN employee taken ill&nbsp;

A staff member of the UN mission MONUSCO was among the latest victims of the virus, the UN and health ministry said on Friday.

The employee was exposed in Beni where the health ministry said it was concerned by a "significant increase in the number of confirmed cases".

Two Red Cross volunteers were also last week seriously injured when they were attacked during the burial of a suspected Ebola victim.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) told AFP Friday that it was doing everything it could to minimise the risk to its volunteers on the ground.

But IFRC Secretary-General Elhadj As Sy stressed that the organisation would never resort to using armed escorts in the areas.

"We never use military or armed group protection to do our work... That is not part of our modus operandi," he told AFP.

He said it was not surprising that people living in an area affected by armed conflict would be "totally overwhelmed with another shock like the Ebola crisis," and might have "wrong reactions".&nbsp;

"It is not unusual for us to experience these kind of difficulties," he told AFP, adding that much of his organisation's work involved engaging with community members to build acceptance of the Ebola response work. &nbsp;

While IFRC is taking "additional safeguards" to protect its volunteers, Sy stressed that there were no plans to withdraw from problematic areas.

"It is exactly when it is most difficult, in the time that it is most risky, that we are needed most," he said.

WHO meanwhile did temporarily suspend its work trying to halt the outbreak in Beni last month amid increased attacks by armed oppositions groups.

Jasarevic said Friday that the agency had resumed its work there, but lamented that continued attacks and violence between government and rebels, while not directly targeted at Ebola responders, meant teams were "not able to function fully".

"On a daily basis, we can't go for a couple of hours to some areas because there is either a shooting going on, or there is a protest by groups in the city against this violence," he said.

Humanitarian workers are struggling to calm community fears in strife-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where 125 people have died of Ebola, and cases of the virus are spreading fast.

Humanitarian workers are struggling to calm community fears in strife-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where 125 people have died of Ebola, and cases of the virus are spreading fast. The World Health Organization said Friday that 200 cases of the deadly virus have been registered in the outbreak first detected on August 1, with 165 of them laboratory confirmed and 35 considered probable. The UN agency voiced concern over the swelling number of cases in recent weeks, especially in the town of Beni, near the Ugandan border. "Insecurity that has increased in the city is one of the reasons why we are seeing these new cases coming up," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva. The latest outbreak -- the 10th in DR Congo since Ebola was first detected there in 1976 -- emerged in the highly-restive northeastern region of North Kivu, which is home to a clutch of armed groups. The authorities in Beni have announced measures to protect health workers after a number of incidents where response teams were assaulted. Fears and misconceptions about the virus have led to widespread mistrust and resistance to Ebola response workers, including those who come into communities wearing hazmat suits to orchestrate burials. UN employee taken ill A staff member of the UN mission MONUSCO was among the latest victims of the virus, the UN and health ministry said on Friday. The employee was exposed in Beni where the health ministry said it was concerned by a "significant increase in the number of confirmed cases". Two Red Cross volunteers were also last week seriously injured when they were attacked during the burial of a suspected Ebola victim. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) told AFP Friday that it was doing everything it could to minimise the risk to its volunteers on the ground. But IFRC Secretary-General Elhadj As Sy stressed that the organisation would never resort to using armed escorts in the areas. "We never use military or armed group protection to do our work... That is not part of our modus operandi," he told AFP. He said it was not surprising that people living in an area affected by armed conflict would be "totally overwhelmed with another shock like the Ebola crisis," and might have "wrong reactions". "It is not unusual for us to experience these kind of difficulties," he told AFP, adding that much of his organisation's work involved engaging with community members to build acceptance of the Ebola response work. While IFRC is taking "additional safeguards" to protect its volunteers, Sy stressed that there were no plans to withdraw from problematic areas. "It is exactly when it is most difficult, in the time that it is most risky, that we are needed most," he said. WHO meanwhile did temporarily suspend its work trying to halt the outbreak in Beni last month amid increased attacks by armed oppositions groups. Jasarevic said Friday that the agency had resumed its work there, but lamented that continued attacks and violence between government and rebels, while not directly targeted at Ebola responders, meant teams were "not able to function fully". "On a daily basis, we can't go for a couple of hours to some areas because there is either a shooting going on, or there is a protest by groups in the city against this violence," he said.

Community fears grow as DR Congo Ebola death toll climbs to 125

The death toll from Hurricane Michael rose to 17 people across four states on Friday as rescuers, hampered by power and phone outages, used cadaver dogs, drones and heavy equipment to search devastated communities in the Florida Panhandle.

Searchers found one person dead in the rubble of Mexico Beach, said Joseph Zahralban, Miami's fire chief and the task force leader of a search and rescue unit. Three additional deaths were reported in Marianna, in Jackson County, Florida, Sheriff Lou Roberts told a news conference on Friday afternoon.

"I've watched on television, thinking of what others have experienced, like in the Carolinas and Texas," Mexico Beach Mayor Al Cathey told reporters. "But it's different when you walk down and see this, and your emotions run away. This is just a small unique coastal community."

The number of fatalities is expected to rise further as rescuers go door to door and comb through the rubble in Mexico Beach and other Florida coastal communities such as Port St. Joe and Panama City.

"I think you're going to see it climb," Brock Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said of the death count. "We still haven't gotten into some of the hardest-hit areas."

The dead include at least eight people in Florida, five in Virginia, three in North Carolina and one in Georgia.

FEMA crews have been using bulldozers and other heavy equipment to push a path through debris to allow rescuers to probe the rubble with specially trained search dogs.

Michael blew ashore near Mexico Beach on Wednesday afternoon as one of the most powerful storms in U.S. history, with winds of up o 155 miles per hour (250 km per hour). It pushed a wall of seawater inland, causing widespread flooding.

The storm, which in less than two days grew from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, tore apart entire neighbourhoods in the Panhandle, reducing homes to naked concrete foundations or piles of wood and siding.

NO PHONE, INTERNET

Except for the emergency-911 system, authorities in Bay County, the epicentre of the disaster, were virtually without telephone or internet service until late in the day on Friday, making communications internally and with the public difficult.

"We didn't have anything," said Ruth Corley, a spokeswoman for the Bay County Sheriff's Department. "We've been writing things down on pieces of paper. We're doing what we can with the minimal media that we have."

She said local television stations were knocked off the air for two days, and authorities were relying on the radio station of the Gulf Coast State College to broadcast public service bulletins.

She said search teams were going door-to-door looking for possible storm victims who may have been trapped or killed.

Bay County officials have previously said 56 people chose to stay back in Mexico Beach and search and rescue teams were trying to account for them.

Social media websites were filled with messages from people trying to reach missing family members in Florida's Bay and Gulf Counties.

Locals offered to go to addresses to see if houses had survived or if residents were there. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provided a website with satellite images for people to check on the condition of homes.

REBUILD RIGHT

FEMA's Long urged communities such as Mexico Beach, where many homes were obliterated by 12 to 14 feet (3.7 to 4.3 meters) of storm surge, to rebuild to withstand future storms.

"It's OK if you want to live on the coast or on top of a mountain that sees wildfires or whatever, but you have to build to a higher standard," he said. "If we're going to rebuild, do it right."

By Friday morning the remnants of the storm were located about 275 miles (445 km) southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts, with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles (100 km) per hour.

About one million homes and businesses were without power from Florida to Virginia on Friday, according to utility companies.

It could be weeks before power is restored to the most damaged parts of Florida.

The number of people in emergency shelters was expected to swell to 20,000 across five states by Friday, said Brad Kieserman of the American Red Cross. The Coast Guard reported rescuing 129 people.

Even as rescuers searched the rubble for survivors or the deceased, some residents of Mexico Beach were nervously trickling back on Friday, expressing hope the place, nicknamed "the Forgotten Coast," would not change too much as it rebuilds.

"It was the perfect beach town. Not all of that commercialism," said Dottie Sinclair, 57, a nurse, adding a Subway fast-food restaurant was the only commercial chain.

"I don't think it will ever be the same," said husband Danny Sinclair, 64, who is semi-retired. "People will just pack up and leave."

The death toll from Hurricane Michael rose to 17 people across four states on Friday as rescuers, hampered by power and phone outages, used cadaver dogs, drones and heavy equipment to search devastated communities in the Florida Panhandle.

The death toll from Hurricane Michael rose to 17 people across four states on Friday as rescuers, hampered by power and phone outages, used cadaver dogs, drones and heavy equipment to search devastated communities in the Florida Panhandle. Searchers found one person dead in the rubble of Mexico Beach, said Joseph Zahralban, Miami's fire chief and the task force leader of a search and rescue unit. Three additional deaths were reported in Marianna, in Jackson County, Florida, Sheriff Lou Roberts told a news conference on Friday afternoon. "I've watched on television, thinking of what others have experienced, like in the Carolinas and Texas," Mexico Beach Mayor Al Cathey told reporters. "But it's different when you walk down and see this, and your emotions run away. This is just a small unique coastal community." The number of fatalities is expected to rise further as rescuers go door to door and comb through the rubble in Mexico Beach and other Florida coastal communities such as Port St. Joe and Panama City. "I think you're going to see it climb," Brock Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said of the death count. "We still haven't gotten into some of the hardest-hit areas." The dead include at least eight people in Florida, five in Virginia, three in North Carolina and one in Georgia. FEMA crews have been using bulldozers and other heavy equipment to push a path through debris to allow rescuers to probe the rubble with specially trained search dogs. Michael blew ashore near Mexico Beach on Wednesday afternoon as one of the most powerful storms in U.S. history, with winds of up o 155 miles per hour (250 km per hour). It pushed a wall of seawater inland, causing widespread flooding. The storm, which in less than two days grew from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, tore apart entire neighbourhoods in the Panhandle, reducing homes to naked concrete foundations or piles of wood and siding. NO PHONE, INTERNET Except for the emergency-911 system, authorities in Bay County, the epicentre of the disaster, were virtually without telephone or internet service until late in the day on Friday, making communications internally and with the public difficult. "We didn't have anything," said Ruth Corley, a spokeswoman for the Bay County Sheriff's Department. "We've been writing things down on pieces of paper. We're doing what we can with the minimal media that we have." She said local television stations were knocked off the air for two days, and authorities were relying on the radio station of the Gulf Coast State College to broadcast public service bulletins. She said search teams were going door-to-door looking for possible storm victims who may have been trapped or killed. Bay County officials have previously said 56 people chose to stay back in Mexico Beach and search and rescue teams were trying to account for them. Social media websites were filled with messages from people trying to reach missing family members in Florida's Bay and Gulf Counties. Locals offered to go to addresses to see if houses had survived or if residents were there. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provided a website with satellite images for people to check on the condition of homes. REBUILD RIGHT FEMA's Long urged communities such as Mexico Beach, where many homes were obliterated by 12 to 14 feet (3.7 to 4.3 meters) of storm surge, to rebuild to withstand future storms. "It's OK if you want to live on the coast or on top of a mountain that sees wildfires or whatever, but you have to build to a higher standard," he said. "If we're going to rebuild, do it right." By Friday morning the remnants of the storm were located about 275 miles (445 km) southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts, with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles (100 km) per hour. About one million homes and businesses were without power from Florida to Virginia on Friday, according to utility companies. It could be weeks before power is restored to the most damaged parts of Florida. The number of people in emergency shelters was expected to swell to 20,000 across five states by Friday, said Brad Kieserman of the American Red Cross. The Coast Guard reported rescuing 129 people. Even as rescuers searched the rubble for survivors or the deceased, some residents of Mexico Beach were nervously trickling back on Friday, expressing hope the place, nicknamed "the Forgotten Coast," would not change too much as it rebuilds. "It was the perfect beach town. Not all of that commercialism," said Dottie Sinclair, 57, a nurse, adding a Subway fast-food restaurant was the only commercial chain. "I don't think it will ever be the same," said husband Danny Sinclair, 64, who is semi-retired. "People will just pack up and leave."

Hurricane death toll rises to 17 as search goes on in Florida

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