The number of people killed by a sudden flood in east Ethiopia's Dire Dawa city has reached 150, police said.

Getachew Asres, the city's police commissioner, told journalists that the flood was caused by the overflow of Dejatu River.

He said 39 of the deceased were children under the age of seven years.

Relatives of the deceased are taking presently their dead bodies from Dire Dawa Hospital, Getachew said.

Two of the 94 flood victims who were taken to Chora Hospital by police, army and public died while four are receiving treatment, he said.

The remainders were sent to home after first aid treatment, Getahcew said.

The city administration along with the federal police and army members are protecting properties in the city, he said.

Meanwhile, the committees in charge of soliciting relief for flood victims have already started their activities, according to the city's disaster prevention and preparedness office.

A heavy downpour hit Dire Dawa city, some 500 km east of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, in the early hours of Sunday. The Dejatu River burst its banks and swept sleeping residents away.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2006)