Death toll from NW China landslide rises to 11

Four more bodies were recovered early Monday in a landslide in northwest China, bringing the death toll to 11, with one person still missing, rescuers said on Monday.

The landslide occurred at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Gaolou Village in Huaxian County, Shaanxi Province, when more than 50,000 cubic meters of mud and rock destroyed 94 houses, burying 13 villagers.

Rescuers had found seven bodies by Sunday after three days of digging.

Qu Lei, a 15-year-old boy who was rescued Saturday, is so far the only survivor of the accident.

About 600 armed police and local people are still searching for the missing person, who has little hope of survival, rescuers said.

Villagers nearby have been evacuated to safety, said a local official.

It rained heavily for ten days in the hilly area a week before the landslide.

Geological experts are examining the stability of the terrain in the area.

Source: Xinhua