Death toll from the flash flood that occurred on July 20 in southwest China's Yunnan Province has risen to 18 as more bodies of the missing workers were found, the local government said Sunday.

Rescuers are still searching for the rest 17 construction workers who are still missing after the accident although there is little chance for them to survive, according to government officials.

At 3 AM on July 20, a flash flood triggered by torrential rain swept away several work sheds near a highway construction site in Lengquan Township, Mengzi County, the Hani-Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Honghe. Eight workers were killed on the spot while 27 others missing.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2006)