Death toll in Pakistan floods, house collapses crosses 320

Rescuers were struggling to retrieve bodies from debris after flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains across northern Pakistan killed at least 321 people in the past 48 hours, the authorities have said.

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PESHAWAR, Pakistan -

The majority of deaths, 307, were reported in mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority said on Aug 16.

Most were killed in flash floods and house collapses, with the dead including 15 women and 13 children. At least 23 others were injured.

The provincial rescue agency said that around 2,000 rescue workers were engaged in recovering bodies from the debris and carrying out relief operations in nine affected districts where rain was still hampering efforts.

"Heavy rainfall, landslides in several areas and washed-out roads are causing significant challenges in delivering aid, particularly in transporting heavy machinery and ambulances," Mr Bilal Ahmed Faizi, spokesman for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's rescue agency, told AFP.

"Due to road closures in most areas, rescue workers are travelling on foot to conduct operations in remote regions," he added.

"They are trying to evacuate survivors, but very few people are relocating because of the deaths of their relatives or loved ones being trapped in the debris."