China says deaths from lightning rise*

28 Jul 2007 03:11:34 GMT
Source: Reuters

SHANGHAI, July 28 (Reuters) - Lightning strikes have killed 403 people
in China so far this year, equalling the total number of deaths from
lightning in the whole of last year, the China Meteorological
Administration said.

The administration attributed the higher rate of deaths to more frequent
and severe lightning storms, Xinhua news agency reported late on Friday.

Lightning storms caused 2,525 accidents between January and June, of
which 52 involved fires, causing more than 80 million yuan ($10.6
million) in direct economic losses, the administration said.

Chinese scientists have warned that global warming is likely to
intensify extreme weather pat