Oceanic disasters left 492 persons dead or missing and caused direct economic losses of 21.8 billion yuan (around US$2.8 billion) in China last year, says a report released Friday by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA).

 

The report says China experienced 179 oceanic disasters last year, including storm tides, huge waves, severe sea ice and red tides.

 

Economic losses were down by 11.4 billion yuan (around US$1.5 billion) from the previous year, but the death toll rose by 121.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2007)