ALGIERS, Sept 19 —Torrential rains in southern Algeria left 16 people dead, including 13 foreigners, local authorities said today, increasing an earlier death toll.

Four bodies of foreigners of African origin were recovered yesterday about 10 kilometres outside the town of Tamanrasset, in Algeria’s deep south, the APS news agency quoted them as saying.

Heavy rain on Wednesday and Thursday triggered a flood in the town and caused a power outage.

Firefighters on Thursday collected the bodies of 12 people, including nine of African origin and three Algerians, after they were swept away in the flood.

The nationality of the 13 foreigners of African origin was not reported. — AFP