Storms leave 14 dead in central, southern China

Fourteen people have been confirmed dead while 12 others are missing in the wake of storms that unleashed hail and tornadoes that swept through central and southern China since Monday.

A thunderstorm with hail stones hit Dongguan in Guangdong Province yesterday afternoon, killing 8 and injuring 136, the city's health authority said.

Residents said the temperature dropped dramatically after hail stones as big as quail eggs hit the region. The roofs of some houses were blown off and many trees were uprooted, according to People's Daily website.

Nine cities and counties in Hunan Province reported three deaths and about 30 injuries.

Five counties in southeast China's Fujian Province reported three deaths. The deaths occurred after a ferry capsized in a choppy sea yesterday morning near its destination in Xiadao Town. Three people died after emergency treatment while 12 others are still missing, local authorities said.

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