Disasters caused by prolonged low temperatures, icy rains and heavy snows in the southern part of China in the past month killed a total of 107 people and left 8 others missing by Tuesday, said Li Xueju, minister of civil affairs, Wednesday.

Direct economic losses were estimated at 111.1 billion yuan (about 15.3 billion U.S. dollars), he said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2008)