One woman drowned and another three went missing Tuesday afternoon when their coach was swept into a river by surging flood waters in Jinyun County, in Lishui City of east China's Zhejiang Province.

The coach, carrying 26 passengers, was swept into the river at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to the local public security department, the area had been pounded by torrential rains for 18 consecutive hours prior to the accident, with most local roads completely underwater.

Rescuers responded immediately and have thus far pulled 22 people from the water. Rescue efforts are ongoing.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2003)