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City mayor apologizes after storms causing huge casualties in Hebei

Xinhua, July 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

The mayor of Xingtai City in north China's Hebei Province apologized Saturday night for inadequate responses to the storms that have caused 25 deaths and 13 missing in the city.

Dong Xiaoyu said the government had underestimated the intensity of the rainfall, been insufficient in emergency ability, and late and inaccurate when it came to disaster assessment.

"I am deeply sorry for failing to protect people's lives and properties, no matter how serious the natural disaster is," Dong said. "On behalf of the city Party committee and government, I pay deepest condolences to the victims and their relatives, and apologize to the public."

Dong said the city has initiated an accountability investigation and will punish those responsible for the tragedy.

Torrential rain and floods have left 114 people dead and 111 others missing in Hebei as of 6 p.m. on Saturday, according to the provincial civil affairs bureau. Endi