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Religious groups in Taiwan mourn typhoon victims

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-30 21:55

KAOHSIUNG: Taiwan's religious groups mourned victims and prayed for survivors of Typhoon Morakot Sunday afternoon in Kaohsiung county, the area worst hit by the recent disaster.

Related readings:  Typhoon Morakot kills 461 in Taiwan  Taiwan confirms 291 deaths, 387 missing from typhoon  Typhoon death toll in Taiwan rises to 163  Mainland in quick support to typhoon-ravaged Taiwan  Taiwan begins 3-day mourning after typhoon

Nearly 10,000 people attended the gathering by Buddhists, Taoists, Catholics and Christians. Participants presented flowers and paid silent tribute to the dead.

Organizers of the ceremony said religious groups in Taiwan have a common wish to help disaster-stricken compatriots walk away from grief and start afresh.

Morakot, the worst typhoon to hit Taiwan in 50 years, has claimed at least 461 lives and left 192 missing and 46 injured, according to Taiwan's disaster response authorities.

As of August 28, the typhoon left 475 dead and more than 70 missing in the worst-hit Kaohsiung county.