Death toll rises to 20 in SW China landslide

KUNMING -- The death toll from a landslide that struck a mountainous village in Southwest China's Yunnan province on Monday had climbed to 20 after rescuers pulled 20 bodies from the debris as of 2:50 pm Tuesday, local authorities said.

Among the 47 that were previously reported missing, rescuers managed to get in touch with three people, who were out and temporarily lost contact when the landslide happened.

To date, 24 people are still missing, according to the local disaster relief headquarters.

More than 1,000 rescuers, over 150 machines and 45 dogs have joined in the search and rescue operations.

A total of 918 residents from 223 households have been evacuated to safe places. Some of them went to stay with relatives, while some moved to a temporary settlement site at a nearby school. Two of them were receiving treatment in hospital.

More than 200 tents, 1,200 cotton coats, 700 quilts, 200 folding beds and other supplies have been allocated to the site.

Currently, traffic to the disaster area is smooth and power supply and communications services are normal in the affected area.