At least 18 dead in Yemen floods

At least 18 people died in Yemen when floods caused by heavy rains swept through the south-eastern province of Hadramaut, which has been declared a disaster zone, officials said on Friday. According to first reports received by a crisis cell set up to co-ordinate rescue efforts, seven people perished in Al-Mukalla, capital of Hadramaut, and 11 more died elsewhere in the province, a cell member told AFP.
The official, who requested anonymity, said the town of Shibam, listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site, was totally isolated by the waters and its famous historic buildings were threatened with collapse. Shibam, which is home to more than 20,000 people, is located some 450 kilometres (280 miles) north-east of Al-Mukalla.