A landslide in China killed at least nine people, state media reported.
Authorities say at least 47 people were buried when the disaster struck a remote village in the southwest of the country China Mountainous Yunnan Province, two people have been rescued from the wreckage so far.
The Zhenxiong County Publicity Department said rescue teams were searching for victims buried in about 18 houses after the landslide occurred just before 6 a.m. local time (11 p.m. GMT Sunday) in Liangshui Village.
Image: Xinhua via AP
State media said eight bodies were from the group initially buried by the landslide, but did not specify where the ninth body was found.
Survivors and rescue workers are facing difficulties in the face of snow, icy roads and freezing temperatures, which are expected to continue for at least the next three days.
“The mountain just collapsed, and dozens were buried,” a man surnamed Gu, who witnessed the landslide, told the state-owned television station in neighboring Guizhou province.
He added that four of his relatives were buried under the rubble. He added: “They were all asleep in their homes.”
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Excavators dig at the landslide site. Image: Xinhua via AP
State-owned China Central Television reported that nearly 1,000 rescue workers were sent to the scene, along with nearly 200 rescue vehicles.
More than 500 people were evacuated from their homes.
The affected area is located about 1,400 miles southwest of Beijing.
Heavy snow has hit many parts of China recently, causing transportation disruptions and safety risks.
It was not clear what caused the landslide.
