31 people trapped in nursing home died in floods, Beijing officials say
Thirty-one people died at the Taishitun Town Elderly Care Centre when Beijing's Miyun district became one of the hardest hit areas by storms that dumped nearly a year's worth of rain in the area over a few days, they said.
Advertisement
Floodwaters surged in the area on Monday and many were caught unprepared.
Rescuers evacuate a stranded villager in Liulimiao Town of Huairou District on the outskirts of Beijing (Zhang Chenlin/Xinhua via AP)
Officials offered a rare public apology on Thursday when they announced the deaths.
'For a long time, this senior centre was in the town's centre and was safe, and such was not included in the preparedness plans. This means that our prepared plans had holes,' Miyun Party secretary Yu Weiguo said, expressing his condolences and adding it was a 'bitter lesson'.
The care centre housed 69 residents, including 55 who were disabled in some capacity.
Advertisement
The facility sat on low-lying ground near a river that had flooded after the unusually intense rains, local media outlet Caixin reported.
When the floods hit on Monday, there were 77 people in the building including staff.
The nursing home was featured in a rescue story from state broadcaster CCTV showing rescuers in boats pulling people out of windows without mentioning any deaths.
'Through hours of a concerted effort, they successfully rescued 48 people,' a caption of the video story said without mentioning anyone had died.
Advertisement
The city later announced 28 people died in Miyun district on Tuesday after rescuers could get to the scene, but did not disclose who had died and where.
Villagers carrying belongings walk past soldiers heading to rescue trapped villagers on a road damaged by floods after heavy rains in Miyun district on the outskirts of Beijing (Andy Wong/AP)
China's government censors have tightened information control since leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, seeing it as crucial to preventing unrest.
In recent years, increasingly more topics from negative news about the economy to basic information about violent attacks, such as the number of injured people, have been subject to censorship.
When the waters came this week, they rose quickly to two metres (6.5ft) at the deepest points, Beijing officials said.
Advertisement
Many could not escape.
One Beijing resident's 87-year-old mother managed to get out of the elderly care centre in Miyun, Caixin reported.
'She doesn't know where she got the strength, but she managed to climb on to the windowsill,' she said, noting her mother's roommate was unable to get up and drowned.
Officials said 44 people died in Beijing.
Advertisement
In neighbouring Hebei province, authorities announced an additional eight deaths on Thursday and 16 deaths in total this week.
A flooded area where a minibus went missing after heavy rain in Datong city in north China's Shanxi province (Xinhua via AP)
In northern Shanxi province, authorities announced on Wednesday evening that 10 people were dead after a minibus carrying farm workers washed away in heavy rain.
Four people were still missing as the rescue continued, according to a city government statement three days after the bus disappeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Exact time Storm Floris set to batter Scotland as upgraded amber warning issued
The Met Office issues strong warnings for Storm Floris which is expected to hit Scotland with winds as strong as 85mph. Strong winds may pose a risk to life in parts of Scotland on Monday the Met Office has warned, after upgrading Storm Floris from a yellow to an amber warning. The warning level was increased on Sunday morning (August 3), covering much of Scotland from the Central Belt up to the Highlands. The enhanced warning will be in force for 12 hours from 10am to 10pm on Monday, August 4. The existing yellow warning, covering the rest of Scotland, remains in place from 6am to midnight on Monday. The warnings have been issued due to Storm Floris, which is expected to be an unusually disruptive summer storm, bringing powerful winds and periods of heavy rain to the northern half of the UK on Monday. Dan Suri a Met Office Chief Meteorologist, said: "Much of Scotland is likely to see gusts of 50-70mph with more than 80mph on some exposed coasts, hills and bridges." "Western coastal areas will see the highest gusts late morning, with the strongest winds transferring to northeastern Scotland by late afternoon." "Across the wider Yellow warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40-50mph, with 60mph likely at higher elevations and around some exposed coasts.' The weather is set to turn tonight with Storm Floris arriving in the early hours of Monday morning, bringing strengthening winds and outbreaks of heavy rain to the north west of Scotland. The storm will continue to bring unusually strong winds throughout the day along with heavy rain, particularly in the northern regions of Scotland. Later in the day (August 4) conditions will improve with drier weather and sunny spells developing, although winds will remain strong. Storm Floris is expected to die down by Tuesday (August 5). Experts have warned that Scots should prepare for potential damage to buildings, brought by Storm Floris, including roof tiles being dislodged by high winds. They also cautioned that flying debris could pose a "danger to life." Storm Floris may lead to power outages across the country, which could in turn disrupt other services, such as mobile phone networks. There is also a risk of injury or threat to life from large waves and beach debris being hurled onto coastal roads, sea fronts and nearby properties. Rail services will be withdrawn on several lines including the West Highland Line, all routes north of Perth and in Fife from noon on Monday. All other routes will see a reduced timetable and longer journey times, as the trains will be limited to a maximum speed of 50mph from 9:00am for safety reasons. Lines which will close from 12pm on Monday, August 4 Edinburgh to Fife/Perth/Dundee Perth to Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness Dunblane to Perth Inverness to Aberdeen/Wick/Thurso/Kyle of Lochalsh West Highland Line (Helensburgh Upper - Oban, Fort William and Mallaig) Additionally Transpennine Express has announced it wont be running services between Carlisle and Glasgow Central or Edinburgh as well as between Newcastle and Edinburgh. Ross Moran, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: 'With the severity of Storm Floris becoming clear, our priority is the safety of our passengers and colleagues. That is why we've taken the decision to close some parts of Scotland's railway early on Monday as the worst of the conditions hit the country." He continued: "Our engineers will also need to thoroughly inspect the network for any damage before we reopen the lines and restart train services on Tuesday morning." It is best to stay up to date with the railway lines via their websites, or official social media profiles such as X (Twitter). Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Major update in search for woman, 26, lost in floodwaters in NSW - as some residents are told to evacuate immediately
The search for a woman swept away in floodwaters in New South Wales has been suspended overnight. The woman, 26, was in a Mini Countryman which became stuck in floodwater near Cessnock, in the Hunter Valley about 7.50pm on Saturday. The driver, a 27-year-old woman, was rescued without injuries but the 26-year-old was dragged away by the current. Authorities immediately launched a multi-agency search including police, the Rural Fire Service and Volunteer Rescue Association rescuers which continued on Sunday. The search was disbanded for the night about 4.30pm today due to poor weather conditions and visibility issues. The multi-agency search will resume about 8am tomorrow, on Old North Road, Rothbury. Members of the public in flood-affected areas have also been warned avoid dangers such as damaged powerlines and floodwaters on roads. The State Emergency Service (SES) has directed residents in Gunnedah to evacuate due to hazardous flooding. Those on Bloomfield Street and Conadilly Street are affected. Also on Sunday, SES crews responded managed to save a 40-year-old man who was stuck in a tree due to floodwater. The man was swept out of the tree but rescuers followed him in the water and managed to pull him to shore, and he was taken to hospital. Both sides of the nation were facing wild weather, with high winds and storms expected in Western Australia and soggy conditions and flooding continuing for northern NSW. Tens of thousands of households in the eastern state spent a night without power as heavy rain, floods and unprecedented snow wreaked havoc. The SES has responded to more than 1455 call-outs related to rain, thunderstorms and snow. Residents in some parts of Taree on the mid north coast have been asked to evacuate due to flooding, while warnings are in place for the Peel and Namoi Rivers at Tamworth, Manilla and Gunnedah. Armidale and Guyra in New England had unprecedented snowfall and SES crews responded to more than 100 trapped cars. A new low-pressure system is expected to push up the NSW coast on Sunday, but conditions are likely to ease by afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology said. Elsewhere, the bureau has issued a severe weather warning as a cold front moves through WA on Sunday, with damaging winds expected across the state's southwest, affecting Perth, Albany, Bunbury, Margaret River and the goldfields. 'Most of these damaging wind gusts will be driven by showers and thunderstorms,' meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said. Authorities warn surfers, fishers, swimmers and boating enthusiasts to stay clear of the coast amid dangerous swells. People have been urged to stay at least eight metres away from fallen power lines, power poles and damaged electricity equipment. Lightning temporarily forced the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions to seek cover during Saturday night's clash in Sydney, before the Australians managed to avoid a series whitewash. Much of the match was played in torrential rain, while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter.
North Wales Live
9 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Met Office issues updated North Wales weather alert with Storm Floris set to strike
The Met Office has issued an updated weather alert, with Storm Floris set to hit parts of the UK. A 24 hour yellow alert for wind had been issued, starting tomorrow (Monday) at 6am until 6am Tuesday, covering Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire. However that has now been revised to 18 hours between 6am and midnight tomorrow (Monday), covering the same five North Wales counties, with gusts of up to 70mph along the coast. The yellow alert also covers northern England, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. Other large parts of Scotland are now under an amber warning for wind. People have been warned of potential building damage, travel disruption, power cuts, road closures and the risk of injuries from flying debris. A Met Office statement said: "Storm Floris will bring a spell of unusually windy weather for the time of year across the northern half of the UK on Monday. The highest winds are expected across Scotland between late morning and early evening. In some areas high winds will be accompanied by heavy rain. Wind will then slowly start to ease from the west later. "Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40 to 50 mph with 60 to 70 mph possible along exposed coasts and high ground, especially Scotland. During the height of the storm, winds over parts of Scotland will be even higher and this is covered by a separate amber warning. "What Should I Do? Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences. "Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. "People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It's easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. "If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. "Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly. When a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area."
