Deadly storms hit southwest China

Gales and hailstorms have killed at least 33 people and injured more than a hundred in southwest China.

Liangping, Pengshui and Dianjing counties were hit by tornado, gales and hailstorms that destroyed hundreds of homes and devastated crops.

State television showed rescue workers searching through the rubble of buildings for survivors, while state news agency Xinhua estimated losses of £10 million caused by damage to crops and housing, quoting a government report.

Medical and rescue workers have already been dispatched to affected areas, where many people were still stranded in the mass of rubble and mudslides.

The maximum speed of the winds reached 67 mph according to state media reports.