Eight killed in Russian floods

Floods in southern Russia have killed eight people and forced the evacuation of at least 160 others, authorities said today.

Two days of heavy rains in the Krasnodar region caused a mountain river to burst its banks, sending torrents of water down the mountains onto villages.

Local emergency ministry spokesman Roman Kravchenko said three of the eight killed were elderly people trapped in their houses. Two more were found dead in a sewer hole.

People were evacuated from their homes on Friday, Kravchenko said. Many are heading back to their homes today to take stock of the damage.

Officials said heavy rain also caused mudslides in the mountains, blocking several sections of the North Caucasus railway.