The death toll in China from Typhoon Saomai has risen to 330, after the discovery of six more bodies in Fuding city, in the southeastern coastal province of Fujian.

 

Local government officials pulled the bodies from the sea, bringing the number of bodies recovered from the waters off Shacheng harbor to 186.

 

A mistake occurred in the calculation on Thursday, according to local sources, who noted that death toll on land in Fuding was actually 27, one less than previously reported, bringing the death toll for Fujian Province to 241.

 

Cai Meisheng, Vice Mayor of Fuding, said the recovery of bodies could become more difficult as some could be trapped in the 491 sunken vessels or entwined in fishing nets.

 

Rescuers have retrieved two boats, but Cai said the city government had appealed to the Fujian provincial government and central authorities to assist with the funding of salvage operations.

 

Marine salvage could be too expensive for the local government at a cost of up to 100,000 yuan (US$12,500) per vessel.

 

The local government has allocated 1.06 million yuan (US$132,500) for relief aid and delivered 3,300 quilts, 17,270 boxes of instant noodles, 133 tons of rice and 13,475 tents to typhoon victims.

 

The death toll in neighboring Zhejiang Province stands at 87 dead and 52 missing, and two dead and one missing in Jiangxi Province.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2006)