Taiwan says Typhoon Morakot has claimed at least 650 lives

Taipei: The Taiwan government said Typhoon Morakot has claimed at least 650 lives by unleashing deadly floods and mudslides when it struck the island two weeks ago.

Premier Liu Chao-shiuan said Morakot has caused 160 confirmed deaths, with another 490 listed as missing.

He said in a statement on Sunday that half of the confirmed deaths could not be identified and DNA tests would be conducted.

The storm triggered landslides and widespread flooding that trapped thousands of people in remote villages for days.