42 dead in SW China landslide

BEIJING. January 12. KAZINFORM The death toll from a landslide in a mountainous region in southwest China's Yunnan Province, has risen to 42 as more bodies have been retrieved.

The disaster hit Gaopo village, in Zhenxiong County around 8:20 a.m. on Friday, burying the homes of 16 families. The landslide, which brought about several hundred-thousand cubic meters of watery mud to the village, has also hampered rescue efforts, which are being undertaken amid low temperatures.

More than 1,000 rescuers have arrived on the scene to search for survivors. Relief supplies have been handed out to victims, including tents, quilts, food and water.

Top leaders Xi Jinping, Wen Jiabao and Li Keqiang have ordered all-out efforts to rescue victims. Xi Jinping, the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, says efforts must be made to resettle affected residents, prevent secondary disasters and successfully complete relief work to ensure stability.

Source: Xinhuanet