Death toll in two SW China landslides rises to 11

Source: Xinhua | 04-27-2009 13:18

KUNMING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- One more body was retrieved from mud and rocks shortly after midnight, bringing the death toll in two landslides in southwestern China's Yunnan Province to 11, local authorities said Monday morning.

Both landslides occurred at about noon Sunday in the same city, but one was the result of an industrial accident, while the other was a natural disaster, the officials said.

They said 15 people were still missing and two were injured, after one landslide at about 11:40 a.m. Sunday in Linfeng Township and another at about 12:40 p.m. in Zhaxi Township.

Both townships in Weixin County were under the jurisdiction of Zhaotong City, the county's publicity department said.

The injured were hospitalized and in stable condition.

The department said the first landslide, which killed four passers-by, was caused by unsafe quarry production.

The second, which left seven dead, two injured and 15 missing, was a natural disaster. The site was where the latest body was retrieved, according to an initial investigation by experts sent by the provincial government.

The department said the weather was fine with no rain.

Rescuers are still searching for the missing.

Editor:Zhang Ning