Typhoon kills more than 500 in Taiwan

TAIPEI – Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, under mounting pressure over his government's response to a devastating typhoon, on Friday estimated that more than 500 people had died in flooding and mudslides.

Survivors and the main opposition party say efforts to rescue people stranded in remote mountain villages have been slow or insufficient, criticism that could hurt the image of the president and his party ahead of year-end local elections.

Authorities have requested larger choppers from foreign governments capable of carrying earth-moving equipment and shelters.