10 dead in China mudslide

At least 10 people died and 10 others were missing in a mudslide in a village in southwest China's Yunnan province Monday.

The public security bureau of Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture of Dehong said 10 people were still missing and seven others were injured as of 4 p.m. Monday.

The mudslide happened at around 6 a.m. at Huna village of Monghai Tow, where 13 houses were buried and dozens of others damaged.

Continuing downpours have also caused several landslides, blocking the roads linking the village to other areas and causing power disruptions.

Four injured people needed to be transported to the nearest city for treatment. Victims were badly in need of relief supplies including tents and waterproof clothing, the local authorities said at a disaster relief meeting.

Zhang Guojun, a rescuer, told Xinhua the mudslide had blocked access to the village. It also caused power disruptions.

Zhang said no mechanical equipment was being used to search for survivors. Rescuers were using only shovels and their bare hands to dig through debris.

More than 1,100 rescuers trying to reach Huna were stranded. Several excavating machines were working to remove mud and rocks.

Around 20 tents, 20 bags of rice and 60 quilts have already been allocated to the disaster-hit area. Three electric generators and 100 more tents were being sent to the affected area.

Yunnan is prone to mudslides as more than 90 percent of the province is mountainous.

A mudslide hit Shawa Village of Fugong County July 9, leaving nine people dead and eight missing as of last Thursday.

Most regions of Yunnan have entered the annual flood season. As of Monday, more than 140 people in Yunnan have been killed or are missing due to disasters caused by heavy rain, according to the provincial meteorological bureau.