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9 killed as Typhoon Etau hits western Japan

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-10 09:51

TOKYO: At least nine people were killed Monday in western Japan in floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain as Typhoon Etau slammed into the country.

Related readings:  Hotel swept into river after typhoon  Typhoon Morakot lands in E. China  10 still missing as typhoon Morakot nears  Typhoon Morakot whips East Asia  Taiwanese brace for typhoon Morakot

The typhoon left eight people dead in Hyogo prefecture, police official Shigekazu Kamenobu said. He could not provide details but said many were caught in raging waters.

"At least one man was swept away in a river while he was in a car. His body was later found inside the vehicle," Kamenobu said.

A woman was found dead in her house that was destroyed by a landslide in neighboring Okayama prefecture, police official Wataru Yamamoto said.

Public broadcaster NHK reported that 10 people were missing in western Japan. Police were not able to confirm how many people were unaccounted for.

Japan's Meteorological Agency also warned of heavy precipitation and landslides in eastern Japan as Etau moves inland.