Society

107 people trapped in SW China landslide

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-28 20:54

107 people buried, trapped after rain-triggered landslide in southwest China

GUIYANG -- Some 107 people from 38 families were buried and trapped by a rainstorm-triggered landslide Monday afternoon in southwest China's Guizhou Province, local authorities said.

The landslide occurred at 2:30 p.m. in Dazhai Village, Guanling County. The number of casualties is not immediately known, said a spokesman from the government of Anshun City, which administers Guanling.

Related readings:  After the rain, landslide battle begins  Rain-triggered landslide leaves 1 dead, 4 missing in E China  23 killed in Sichuan landslide  Landslide kills 3 in Guangxi as rain lingers

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has urged all-out efforts to rescue the buried people.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu is rushing to the site with a team of experts and officials.

Villager Cen Chaoyang rushed out of his house when he heard the landslide and managed to escape.

"I called the others to flee. But it was too late. I saw some people behind me being buried," Cen told Xinhua in a telephone interview.

Rescuers had to run five kilometers to reach the site that is inaccessible by vehicle. Rescue work is underway.

Rain and landslides continue to plague the region.