Global General

Death toll from southern Russia floods rises to 13

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-17 20:01

MOSCOW -- A total of 13 people have died from the floods in Russia's southern Krasnodar territory, with another 12 still unaccounted for, confirmed the regional prosecutor's office on Sunday.

"According to the latest data, 13 people are dead, including a pregnant woman. Three bodies of women have not yet been identified. As many as twelve people are missing," said Gennady Vasyunin, head of the Tuapse investigative department at the office.

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Previous reports put the figure at 11.

Among the victims, "ten of the 13 people killed in the flooding have been identified. The identities of three women have not been established yet," he added.

Torrential rains in mountainous areas on Saturday caused rivers to overflow, flooding 21 villages. About 300 people were evacuated and a state of emergency was imposed in the area earlier.

On Saturday, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev ordered Regional Development Minister Viktor Basargin to assess the damage caused by the flood and take measure to help those affected.

The regional governor Alexander Tkachyov also pledged to pay compensation to affected families as soon as possible.