DHAKA: At least 98 people were killed and nearly 800 injured in a tornado and hailstorm at the east Chinese province of Jiangsu.

The tornado struck the outskirts of the city of Yancheng along with torrential rain on Thursday afternoon. Counties on the city's outskirts saw winds of up to 125km/h.

The search for survivors in debris has now been completed with a clean-up under way, the head of the provincial fire corps said, BBC reports on Friday (June 24).

President Xi Jinping had ordered ‘all-out rescue efforts’ after what the Xinhua news agency said was one of the worst disasters ever to hit Jiangsu.

It was also the worst tornado to hit China in half a century, it said.

Heavy rain and the possibility of more hailstorms and tornadoes had further complicated rescue efforts.

More than 1,300 police officers had been mobilized to help, while tent and other emergency supplies were being sent from Beijing.

BDST: 1630 HRS, June 24, 2016
SAS/AKA