TAIYUAN: Fifty-six people have been confirmed dead and hundreds more are still missing following the collapse on Monday of a reservoir containing waste from an iron ore mine in Xiangfen, Shanxi province, media reported yesterday.

Ding Wenlu, head of the rescue headquarters, was quoted by the Xinhua News Agency as saying that 35 people have so far been reported injured by the subsequent mudslide, which was triggered by heavy rains.

More than 1,100 police, firefighters and local residents are helping with the rescue effort, but the rough terrain, poor telecommunications and continuous rainfall are hampering their work, he said.