China landslide toll rises to 24

2010-09-04 19:34

Beijing - The death toll from rain-triggered landslides that hit a remote village in south-western China rose to 24, with another 24 people still missing, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

The landslides swept through the mountain village of Hedong, near the city of Baoshan in Yunnan province, late on Wednesday after heavy rain, Xinhua said.

Up to 40 000m³ of debris crashed onto the village, according to Xinhua.

Floods and related natural disasters triggered by torrential rain have affected 230 million people nationwide in China this year and led to the evacuation of more than 15 million people, the government has said.

It said 3 185 people have been killed across the country, and more than 1 000 were missing.

A devastating mudslide in the northwestern province of Gansu last month left at least 1 467 dead and 298 missing.

- SAPA