This is bbc news. Im lukwesa burak. The headlines at seven. A british man who was on the diamond princess cruise ship has died from coronavirus. Three new cases have been confirmed in the uk. 20 20 cases. The issue of coronavirus is something that is now the governments top priority. Alarm over coronavirus has sent Global Stock Markets into a steep dive, with the ftse 100 dropping nearly 13 this week fears of a Major International military confrontation, after an attack by Government Forces in syria leaves 33 turkish soldiers dead. The flooding misery continues for some. Residents in parts of east yorkshire are evacuated as water levels rise. And on newswatch, as storms are followed by floods and part of the uk, how is bbc news handling the logistics of covering extreme weather events . Join us tonight at 7 45pm on bbc and news. Bbc news. Good evening. A british man who was quarantined on the diamond princess cruise ship injapan has died from coronavirus. He is one of six people who were onboard to have died from the virus. The respiratory disease, which causes pneumonia like symptoms, has infected almost 84,000 people in more than 50 countries. And although the vast majority of cases remain in china, the virus is now spreading faster outside the country. The World Health Organization says most, if not all countries, should expect outbreaks. Here in the uk, 19 people have coronavirus, with the infection here in the uk, 20 people have coronavirus, with the infection confirmed in a patient from wales for the first time. In a moment well look at the effect of coronavirus on the global economy, and well answer some of the most pressing questions on how to manage the threat the virus poses, but first our Health Editor hugh pym has this report. Its the first british fatality from the coronavirus. The man had been a tourist on this cruise ship. After contracting the virus, he was said to have been fairly poorly. Five japanese people on the ship have also died. More than 700 cases were diagnosed with the ship quarantined in early february. Two more people are being treated at this unit after testing positive. A man from swansea
has attracted the virus after returning from northern italy. The first case in wales. Theres been a surge in the number of calls to the nhs iii surge in the number of calls to the nhs 111 health line. Some callers have told the bbcs of delays. The government has sought to reassure the public. The issue of coronavirus is something that is now the governments top priority and ijust had a meeting with the chief medical officer and secretary for health and others talking about the preparations that we need to undertake. Let me repeat the advice of the chief medical officer, which i think is the best thing to get across. The most valuable thing you can do to prevent the spread of coronavirus is to wash her hands for 20 seconds or more. Wash your hands. With hot water and soap. Other countries are stepping up their responses to the virus. Japans Prime Minister has asked all close to all schools to close for late march. Prayers were cancelled for the first time in decades to contain the infection. New Zealands Health minister confirmed the first case in sub Saharan Africa has been confirmed in. This is the most worrying moment now. Like the former Health Secretary said the constellations may be needed in the uk. Look at fellow no dole like italy and japan, you can see barry to back things are happening and we iiow to back things are happening and we now have to make some choices. Very dramatic things are happening. If we want to contain the viruss very low levels of penetration in the population. To tryjust limit the population. To tryjust limit the spread, some football is being played behind closed doors. Teams we re played behind closed doors. Teams were facemask and the International Football s unions say its concern for the safety of players. Football isa for the safety of players. Football is a global game and this is a Global Health problem. Our correspondentjenny hill is injapan for us and sent us the latest. The Japanese Ministry of health had confirmed that the man was being treated in hospital prior to his death. Tonight the Foreign Office have said they are liaising with the japanese authorities i was well as continuing to support the mans family, who have asked for privacy. It was described as a difficult time. He is the first british person known to have died from covid i9,
but here injapan, theyre getting used to this kind of news. Even today we heard that two more japanese people have died from the virus, bring the total number of deaths in the country to attend. As you said, five of those people were infected on board the diamond princess. They were allowed off the ship tested negative for the virus. They were looking clearly relieve their ordeal was partly over. As if we needed it, another reminder of the gravity of this global outbreak. That was jenny hill the gravity of this global outbreak. That wasjenny hill injapan for us. Breaking news from france. The French Defence minister has confirmed that several coronavirus cases have been reported and confirmed on a military base in northern paris. We are hearing news
of several. No number confirmed. More details when we get it. The bbc believes the number of deaths from the coronavirus in iran could be more than 200. Thats six times higher than the official figure. Lets speak to kasra naji from bbc persian. Just explain to us what happening. Were getting reports that the spread of the virus is much more serious than what the government is admitting to. We have today managed to get a figure of 210 from our sources. They say 210 people have been killed or have lost their lives because of the virus, and that is
almost more than six times the officialfigure of 3a almost more than six times the official figure of 3a that was given by the Health Minister at lunchtime today. Why is this so significant, because we heard whenjeremy hunter said hes very concerned and we should be concerned about cases taking place and being reported on the african continent and in iran. Why is important . This is a source of concern is that, 80, the government is not quite sure how to handle the situation. B, it doesnt have quite the facilities or the kids it needs to control it. On top of that, we have the issue of religious figures. Or the kits to control it. The holy city, the
centre of the outbreak in iran, a very serious outbreak. In the religious authorities are still refusing to close down the mean trying there. They say its the peoples religious duty to visit these places of worship and they cannot close them. All that has added to the extent that there is sort of a plummeting confidence in the governments ability to handle this situation and also the governments figures coming out from the Health Minister. The government is coming up against the religious block. What measures have they managed to put in place . How fluid are irans borders . The borders are
semi controlled. Its not open border. There are many flights that have been cancelled to and from the country. Afghanistan was closed for some time but was reopened a few days ago saying that because that border is fluid, its better to control it by having people on the border areas, trying to see whether they can pick up people who might be infected. Apart from that, we have, in the early days of this spread of the virus, iran maintained its flights to chinese cities and there was quite a lot of coming and going between the two sides. I suppose, they are saying they are a group of pilgrims who may have come from china who may have gone straight to the holy city from the place of
outbreak, but those are reports that we are still not sure about. Nonetheless, this remains the sinner according to our reports. The centre. The highest number of deaths reported from tehran. Thank you very much for that overview. Thereve been sharp falls in stock markets around the world because of concerns over coronavirus. In the uk, the ftse 100 closed the week 13 down the biggest fall since 2011. The governor of the bank of england, mark carney, has said the outbreak could mean the uks forecasts for Economic Growth could be downgraded, and some fear the virus could trigger a global recession. Our global trade correspondent Dharshini David reports. Dont be deceived by the cheers. Thats just the traditional way to mark the opening of start markets. Start markets. American shares are on track for the worst week since the financial crisis in 2000 late 2008. Reality has hit. Coronavirus isnt just late 2008. Reality has hit. Coronavirus isntjust a problem for chinas economy, but all our fortunes. We expect the growth will be lower than otherwise would be. We are not picking it up at all yet in the uk, but if the worlds slower than otherwise, the economy has an impact. As outbreaks have multiplied around the globe, its become clear of the economic destruction will be equally widespread. With car companies, Global Manufacturing supply chains are being hit by factory shutdowns in china. Demand
is also affected. Efforts to contain the disease affects travel and tourism. It can no longer perfect its profits after flights have been disrupted. Spending has also been damaged. Starbucks and this company are among those who have seen sales fall as people stay away from bars, restau ra nts a nd fall as people stay away from bars, restaurants and shops. The problem is all this comes out whats already a difficult time for the world economy. China, japan and the uk are among the country some economists are warning that perhaps £850 billion could be knocked off global this year. It will be hundreds of times greater than that of stars. It isnt all gloom. Of sars. Times greater than that of stars. It isnt all gloom. Of sars. A lot orare coming isnt all gloom. Of sars. A lot or are coming through, but there is a bit of concern about the kind of
early air supplying team and making sure that theyre not going to run out. What can be done to support businesses . Policymakers across the world could cut interest rates, but as they are already very low, there is little firepower left. For authorities, the anxiety is set to continue. Crisis talks have been taking place to prevent a Major International escalation of the civil war in Northern Syria after a surge in fighting between turkish and syrian forces. 33 turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike, and turkey has responded by targeting hundreds of Syrian Government sites. Syrian government troops, which are backed by russian forces, are conducting a massive offensive in idlib province. Its the last opposition held stronghold in the north of the country. Turkey, which supports the Anti Government rebels, has sent thousands of troops across its border to assist them. Our International Correspondent orla guerin has sent this report. Payback. In syria today, the church has military were hitting hard. Turkish military. Striking more than 200 Syrian Government targets. Retaliation for yesterdays killing of 33 turkish troops. At the scene today, resting in the dirt, the uniform of one of turkeys fallen soldiers. Pictures show the impact of the massive air strikes. Turkey has blamed the asset regime of moscow, syrias ally, control the airspace. The defence minister of turkey says russia has no excuse. Translation the location of our troops, the attack happened. After the first strike, we warned them again. But it continued. Even ambulances were hit. Here, the two leaders at the centre of this dangerous escalation. President putin and so far nato isnt rushing to turkeys aid. Calling for russia and syria to end their assault on idlib. |j calling for russia and syria to end their assault on idlib. I call on them to stop their offensive, to respect International Law and to back un efforts for peaceful solutions. This is what western leaders may be most worried about. Refugees heading from turkey to europe. Already today, a trickle since word went out, the authorities
would no longer try to stop them. They are turkeys leverage with the international community. In istanbul, a clamour to a cross for the border. Refugees would have refused in the past, but not today. From syria is hoping to get his family to belgian. Its too late for us, he said. We are leaving now for the sake of our children. Turkey hopes they and others like them can be its passport to International Health with idlib. The un secretary general Antonio Guterres has been speaking in the past hour. In recent days, ive formed repeatedly about the wrist of a serious escalation of the authorities and syria. Ive warned repeatedly. Ifear
authorities and syria. Ive warned repeatedly. I fear with authorities and syria. Ive warned repeatedly. Ifear with the events of the past 2a hours, we have reached that point. This is one of the most alarming moments across the duration. Without urgent action, the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour. Huge fire that broke out close to the gare de lyon relay station in paris prompted a massive evacuation. This footage showed s the smoke that billowed over the station a couple hours ago. A few vehicles were set on fire by protesters. Police had banned any protesters. Police had banned any protest around the area. Usually artists are spoken out against who perform at france or belgium,
accusing them being close to the former dr congo president and his successor. Lets get more on this. Hello omaha. What did you see at the scene . When i went out in the open, it was alight with fire. Everything was on fire. Everything that could be ignited was on fire and there was a black smoke. We couldnt see the sky. We can hardly wait. We were like 20 people or 30 people who were there who are still shouting and chanting at each other. Has the fire been put out now . Yeah, the firemen
we re been put out now . Yeah, the firemen were delayed but managed to get in eventually after the Police Arrived and the fire is out now, but the smoke is still there and there is still heavy taste of burning. Earlier in the day, there had been reports that the station had been closed and it was reported that it was an electrical fault. Are we talking about the same incident, do you know . No. I dont think so. We didnt see anything earlier. I was in the street all day and we didnt see anything that was going on until 530 in the afternoon. I dont think it was related, sorry. How busy is it was related, sorry. How busy is it around the gare de lyon . Im not there any more but when i was, the
police evacuated the neighbourhood near the gare de lyon and there was i think 1000 or 2000 people who were watching and once the station was closed, 20 minutes later, the Police Arrived and they evacuated everyone. Is there somewhere you would have normally been . Where you passing or do you work there . Yeah, i worked there. Has anything been said from there. Has anything been said from the government . Well, there was warnings, but not before i went out. The warnings were set ten or 15 minutes after the fire started, and all the buildings were evacuated and other people were stuck there until half an hour ago. When will the gare
de lyon be open . I dont know. I think it will open later today. The damage is on the surface on the street, which is really burned. There was some heavy smoke in the metro, so i think what the smoke is gone they will reopen the station. Thank you very much indeed. Heavy downpours are expected to bring more flooding across england and wales as another weekend storm is expected tomorrow. Up to 80 millimeters of rain is expected to fall when storm jorge arrives, delivering another heavy blow for communities whove already been hit by floods. In a moment well hear from danny savage whos in the east Yorkshire Village of east cowik. First, sian lloyd whos in ironbridge in shropshire, where workers have spent the day repairing flood barriers holding
back the river severn this week. Defences that have been battered by the river severn and buckled under the river severn and buckled under the pressure. A race against time to repair them before water levels rise again here. Give us a shout if you need to get out. It hasnt been safe for christine to return to her shop until now. The damage to the defence is outside her property were significant. That was horrific. To see them go back, your breathjust like. And that everything was all right. The warning of a danger to life here may have subsided, but Emergency Services wont be leaving here anytime soon. We havent really cause yet. We are still in response. We havent been able to do a review
of what happened. There are inevitably things we want to learn. Dozens of flood warnings road maine in place and on the length of the river. What are you worried about . Some rush of water. River. What are you worried about . Some rush of water. Communities are looking for answers, but with more rainfall expected, those already affected are being warned to brace themselves for more to come. Shyam brace themselves for more to come. S hya m lloyd , brace themselves for more to come. Shyam lloyd, river severn. In the village of east cowlitz, numerous houses are now flooded. The flood plains have ove rflowed houses are now flooded. The flood plains have overflowed into settlements. Never underestimate the misery flooding can cause when your home is ruined. Im absolutely devastated. Devastated. Weve been here 20 years, we have a beautiful home and just look at it. The
emotional impact is far worse then the actual impact of the work that youve got to do. People were so desperate to get back in, they were taking risks. Water is still rising, so sandbags are in front of nearly every door. Villagers have been told to move out. The drains have started to move out. The drains have started to back up and weve had to move. The firemen came and said that we should get out. The flood plains of the rivers now stret