1,300 still trapped after Taiwan typhoon

More than 1,300 people are still trapped in remote mountainous villages in southern Taiwan, victims of treacherous mudslides and floods from Typhoon Morakot, the country’s semiofficial Central News Agency said Saturday. Rescue officials quoted by the news agency said 1,373 were still trapped and 75 helicopters were scheduled to conduct rescue missions Saturday in the counties of Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Taitung and Chiayi.

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Taiwan typhoon toll could triple as entire village lies buried

The number of people killed in Taiwan by Typhoon Morakot, a destructive storm that swept through East Asia last week, could triple because hundreds of people are feared trapped under mudslides, the president’s office said Friday. The official toll from the typhoon was 118 but could jump to more than 300, with as many as 200 feared buried under five stories of mud in the badly-hit village of Shiao Lin, presidential spokesman Wang Yuchi said.

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VW seals $4.7B Porsche deal

Volkswagen is to pay ?3.3 billion ($4.7B) for a 42 percent stake in Porsche’s main production division, the two German carmakers said yesterday as they thrashed out more details of a move towards a full integration. In a move that will amount to a rescue of debt-laden Porsche, VW will also buy the automobile trading business of Porsche Holding Salzburg, Europe’s biggest vehicle dealer that is also owned by the sports car maker’s family owners.

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Harsh weather hampers Taiwan rescues

Torrential downpours, dense fog, rugged terrain and raging rivers have made rescue efforts in Taiwan increasingly difficult and dangerous in the wake of Typhoon Morakot. Washed out roads and bridges rendered ground rescue operations virtually impossible as workers searched Thursday for stranded villagers in the central and southern regions of the island.

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Typhoon survivors find sanctuary in school

In the foothills of the Central Mountain chain in southern Taiwan, a rescue helicopter lowers itself onto an athletic field in the town of Nei Pu. The helicopter doors open and eight typhoon survivors stumble out with their belongings in plastic bags. It is a scene that plays out all day.

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