»China typhoon kills 115, injures 1,800«

One of the worst typhoons to hit China in several years has killed 115 people and injured more than 1,800 in the south-eastern Zhejiang province.

Officials say torrential rain and gale-force winds have lashed the province.

Typhoon Rananim hit the coast late on Thursday.

There are 16 people missing and the typhoon has caused widespread damage in the rice-growing province and knocking down more than 40,000 buildings.

"As of 5:00pm [local time], the typhoon had killed 115 people in Zhejiang and 16 are missing," an official with the Zhejiang civil affairs office said.

Officials say as many as 1,800 people had been injured, including 185 who are seriously hurt.

More than 8.6 million people had been affected by the storm.

Officials say the death toll is likely to rise as the typhoon swept inland into eastern Jiangxi province.

More than 460,000 people have been evacuated from coastal areas of Zhejiang province to escape the storm.

One of the worst typhoons to hit China in several years has killed 115 people and injured more than 1,800 in the south-eastern Zhejiang province