Landslide in China kills 17

Relevant offers

Asia

Mystery over Saudi tweeter's NZ bid Pakistan releases US man after 'bullets found in baggage' Iran's web blocked temporarily - experts China issues rules to limit foreign TV shows Japan's nuclear evacuees still not allowed home Bali bombing accused on trial Saudi journalist deported from Malaysia Kiwi firm helps make Laos a safer place Rock star welcome for Suu Kyi Two Tibetans killed by Chinese security - report

A landslide swept over a village in northwest China covering dozens of homes and leaving at least 17 dead and 11 missing, state media said Thursday.

The official Xinhua News Agency said rescuers in Shaanxi province were scrambling to find survivors after a massive wall of earth peeled away from a mountainside early Wednesday, crushing at least 25 houses in Shuanghuyu village.

Xinhua said local officials believe spring weather loosened up the frozen loess, a mix of fine-grained dirt and clay, and triggered the landslide.

Guo Peicai, a local county chief, was quoted as saying the chances of finding survivors was slim because of the scale of the devastation.

"Houses have been completely buried under loess," Guo told Xinhua. "Rescuers had difficulty finding supporting structures in the debris, where victims could have room for survival."

Ten people were hospitalized with injuries, it said.

- AP