4 killed, 23 missing in Southwest China flash flood, mudslide

The collapse of the bridge between tunnels resulted in the plummeting of four vehicles, with one individual rescued and hospitalized, while 10 others were among the missing, the headquarters said.

Local authorities have organized a full-scale rescue operation after the disaster, with 1,448 rescuers deployed so far. The relocation and resettlement of 939 affected residents have been completed.

The village is located in a valley at an altitude of 1,300 meters above sea level, while the mountains nearby are over 5,000 meters above sea level.

A local official told Xinhua that villagers were notified to evacuate 10 minutes before the mudslide arrived after the local river chief found the river water had become muddy amid heavy rain.