New landslides leave 38 missing in southwest China

In the southwest of China 38 people are missing after landslides on Saturday triggered by heavy rains, according to state media. No fatalities were reported, although 10,000 people were evacuated. Xinhua news agency also reported on Saturday that the death toll from a mudslide in northwest China has risen to more than 1,200 people.

Photo: Reuters

Landslides destroyed buildings in Wenchuan county, including hospitals. While in the town of Yingxing debris blocked a river creating a flood lake.

On the main road connecting Wenchuan to Chengdu, the provincial capital, a 200-metre stretch of road was covered with four metres of water.

Across Wenchuan county it is thought that more than 4,000 people and 1,300 vehicles are stranded on flooded roads.

There will be a day of national mourning on Sunday for the 1,239 people who died in last weekend’s mudslide in Zhouqu in Ganzu province.

Another 505 people are still missing after the avalanche of mud and rock destroyed an area five kilometres long and 300 metres wide.

China’s Cultural Ministry said all recreational activities will be suspended on Sunday. The State Council said flags would be flown at half-mast.