October 11

Tropical storm Julia has claimed at least eight lives in El Salvador and driven more than 1,000 people from their homes to shelters, authorities said on Monday.

Two people were killed when a wall collapsed, and an elderly man died after a tree fell on his home, Deputy Interior Minister Raul Juarez said at a press conference.

Five army soldiers were also killed when a wall collapsed at a residence, local media reported.

Some 1,000 people are staying at 35 of 81 shelters set up by authorities, Juarez added. ■

Xinhua