Landslide sweeps away 14

2009-07-21 17:54

Beijing - Waves up to 30m high swept 14 people into the turbulent upper reaches of the Mekong River following a huge landslide into the river in south-western China's Yunnan province, state media said on Tuesday.

Rescue workers recovered two bodies from the river, which is known as the Lancang in China, and were still searching for 12 others missing since they were swept away in the early hours of Monday, the semi-official China News Service said.

An estimated 13 hectares of land plunged into the river near the Xiaowan hydroelectric power station, creating giant waves that engulfed the 14 farmers as they camped nearby, the agency said.

The volume of water in the swollen river hampered rescue work, it said.

Floods and landslides have already killed more than 200 people in China during this summer's rainy season.

- SAPA