Flooding claims 26 lives in Russia

Flooding caused by heavy rain in southern Russia has claimed at least 26 lives.

Six have also been reported missing as floods inundate 19 southern Russian regions.

Up to 20,000 people have been left homeless and more than 5,000 have been evacuated from the regions, say emergency officials.

Many of the deaths have been caused by the collapse of buildings weakened by the flooding and exposure to cold water and heart attacks.

The flooding has killed at least 14 people in the Stavropol territory and 10 people in the republic of Karachayevo-Cherkessia, a spokesman for Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry in Moscow said.

The flooding has washed out bridges, damaged power and telephone lines and caused sewage systems to overflow, according to Viktor Beltsov, a spokesman at the Moscow ministry.

Forecasters predict the rains will continue through the weekend, Russia's RTR television reports.