18 killed scores injured in southern China storms

Violent thunderstorms lashed parts of China's southern industrial heartland, killing 18 people and injuring dozens, authorities said Monday. Guangdong province's Civil Affairs Bureau said hail, rain and gale-force winds struck the provincial capital of Guangzhou on Sunday afternoon along with the nearby cities of Foshan, Dongguan and Zhaoqing. Victims were struck by falling objects and collapsing walls and work sheds, with 155 people injured and 380 left homeless, the bureau was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. It estimated damages at 95 million yuan ($14 million), with at least 45 buildings wrecked and about 2,500 acres (1,000 hectares) of crops damaged.