Pakistan storm death toll rises to 228

The death toll from heavy rains and thunderstorms that have lashed Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi has increased to 228, an official said today.

The casualty figures from Saturday’s storms rose after 185 more bodies were counted in the city morgue, said Sardar Ahmed, minister of health for Sindh province of which Karachi is the capital.

The initial number of those killed had been reported as 43.

Earlier reports said several homes collapsed in the rains in various parts of Karachi yesterday, killing people who were trapped or struck by debris.

At least 20 people were reported killed in separate incidents of electrocution after the storms brought down power cables.