The death toll of an east China mud-rock flow has risen to 39 with eight still missing, said a source with the local flood control headquarters.

The mud-rock flow, caused by rainfall from Typhoon Rananim, took place around 4 a.m. on Aug. 13 in the city of Yueqing in Zhejiang Province, killing 25 villagers on the spot.

Local government immediately organized a rescue operation, mobilizing more than 100 soldiers and policemen. As of Friday afternoon another 14 bodies had been retrieved. Eight others are still missing, and their chances of survival are thought to be very slim.

Yueqing has received 9.5 million yuan (US$1.1 million) from the provincial government and the neighboring city of Wenzhou. An additional donation of 6.4 million yuan (US$773,881) has been employed in the disaster relief work.

Rescue work is still going on.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2004)