China landslide toll climbs to 12

Rescuers have retrieved 12 bodies and are continuing to search for 52 missing people after a landslide hit a mining company in northwest China's Shaanxi province on August 12, authorities said on Monday.

Most of the bodies were found between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, according to the local rescue headquarters in Shanyang county, China Daily reported.

The landslide hit the living quarters of a local mining company and three rural homes in Shanyang county in the early hours of August 12. Ten people managed to escape and four others were dug out by rescuers and taken to hospital.

The missing include villagers, mine and construction workers.

Rescuers said the huge volume of mud and rubble, combined with the risk of secondary disasters, had hindered the search.