7 dead, 9 missing in SW China two mudslides

Photo taken with a cell phone shows rescuers searching for victims of a mudslide in Ludian county of Zhaotong city, southwest China's Yunnan province, July 7, 2014. (Xinhua/Zhang Rui)

A total of seven people were killed and nine others remained missing in two separate mudslides on Sunday in southwest China's Yunnan province, local authorities said Monday.

On Sunday evening, flash mudslides at Dongshan village flattened many houses, and washed away five villagers, according to the county government of Yongsheng.

As of 4:30pm Monday, rescuers had found three bodies.

More than 200 rescuers are searching for the two missing. Relief goods such as food and quilts have been sent to the affected area.

In Ludian county, four people were killed and seven others remained missing in rainstorm-triggered mudslides on Sunday.

On Sunday, continuous downpours battered Ludian County, leading to torrential floods and mudslides in multiple sites, said the Ludian County government.

In worst-hit Longtoushan and Lehong townships, four people were killed and seven others were missing. Rescuers have rushed to search for the missing people.

Local governments have initiated an emergency rescue and allocated relief goods to the disaster-hit regions.

Professionals have been sent to conduct geological disaster screening and intensive monitoring of reservoirs, dikes and mines to prevent geological disasters.