At least 21 people have died and six are still missing after heavy rains produced a landslide in northern China, authorities reported on Sunday.
Storms in the north of China have killed dozens and caused devastating floods in recent weeks.
“Twenty-one people were found dead so far, and six others are still missing,” the Xi’an emergency management bureau said in an online statement about the landslide on Sunday.
Earlier on Sunday, state media reported a death toll of four.
National public radio CNR reported earlier that two houses were swept away and roads, bridges, electrical supplies and other infrastructure were damaged when a landslip was triggered by a mountain flash flood in the village of Weiziping, south of Xi’an in Shaanxi province on Friday.
CNR reports that 100 soldiers and firefighters have been deployed to assist with the relief efforts, which are “continuing” on Sunday.
Images of rescue workers removing debris from the riverbank and transporting patients on stretchers were posted to Weibo by CNR.
Using life detectors and search dogs, more than 980 individuals were reportedly involved in the rescue operation, as reported by the Xi’an emergency management office.
Two homes were “destroyed” by the landslip, and 900 people lost power as a result.
“According to experts, the cause of the disaster is a flash flood mud-rock flow caused by short-term torrential rain,” the statement said.
“Up to now, a total of 186 people have been relocated and resettled… 49 communication base stations in the disaster-stricken area have resumed service, and power supplies have been resumed in 855 homes.”
