Typhoon leaves 20 dead, 4 missing in south China

BEIJING

The death toll from a typhoon that tore across parts of China at the weekend has risen to 20, the country's state controlled news agency has reported.

Xinhua said that since typhoon Mujigae -- the country's 22nd this year -- landed in south China's Guangdong Province and Guangxi Autonomous Region, widespread blackouts have occurred, leaving more than 5 million people without electricity and wreaking 23.24 billion Yuan ($3.65 billion) worth of havoc.

Guangdong provincial civil affairs department said in a press release that seven people died in typhoon-triggered tornados, while seven more died in landslides.

In Zhanjiang City, one person was found dead in the debris of a house, three fishermen were reported to have died in a boat accidents, and another was killed after he was knocked out by a tree.

After their boats sank Sunday, four fishermen are reported to be still missing.

The disaster coincided with China's weeklong national holiday, forcing tourists visiting Guangxi and Guangdong to change plans.