A rainstorm in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, claimed six lives and delayed 130 flights at the local airport.

All the victims were from Bao'an District. Four died after their houses collapsed in the morning while a couple selling fruit were electrocuted, an official with the district government said.

Another person was injured and was being treated in hospital.

The rainstorm also cut traffic, delayed airlines and caused landslides in the Hong Kong border city.

More than 2,000 passengers were delayed at the airport after 130 flights were postponed and another 13 cancelled. Eighteen flights had to land in the neighboring cities of Guangzhou, Guilin and Shantou.

Many passengers missed their flights due to traffic jams caused by the heavy rain, according to the airport management.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2008)