Storm kills 42 in Vietnam, several missing

HANOI (Reuters) - Tropical storm Mirinae killed 42 people after ploughing into central Vietnam this week and several others are missing, state media reported on Wednesday.

Rain and wind from the storm delayed coffee harvesting in parts of the Central Highlands coffee belt, but residents there said on Tuesday things were returning to normal.

The storm destroyed 154 houses, damaged 2,500 others and inundated about 1,800 hectares (4,450 acres) of crop land, the Vietnam News said.

State television said 42 people were confirmed dead.

A report from the government's flood prevention office said eight people were missing by the end of Tuesday, but the Vietnam News on Wednesday morning put the number at 21.

Photos from the south-central provinces of Phu Yen and Binh Dinh showed floodwaters rising to near the top of house doors. One showed people hoisting an elderly woman out of her home through an opening in the roof tiles.

(Reporting by John Ruwitch; Editing by Ron Popeski)