Grim search after 27 die in Japan typhoon

Japan: Rescue teams on Monday carried out a grim search for the missing after a typhoon pummelled western Japan leaving at least 27 people dead and at least 50 unaccounted for, local authorities said.

Torrential rain brought by powerful Typhoon Talas, which made landfall in western Japan on Saturday, caused rivers to swell and triggered floods and landslides that swept away buildings, homes and roads.

Police and firefighters resumed a search for the missing early Monday, warning that the number of victims was set to rise as the continued threat of landslides and damaged access routes hampered relief efforts.

Tokyo, Monday, AFP