Six confirmed dead in Hunan landslide

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-09 09:23

CHANGSHA -- The death toll from Friday's landslide in central China's Hunan Province rose to six as one more body was recovered Saturday night.

Rescuers said the newly-found dead was another daughter of villager Liu Caibao, who was also killed after his house was toppled in the landslide occurring at 6:00 pm Friday in Huanxin Village, Pingjiang County.

Two families lived in the building. The other family, who happened to all go out, escaped. However, Liu Caibao and his father, a daughter, his niece as well as his uncle, was found dead on Friday. Liu's wife, Tian Yuxiang, was severely injured.

Tian, who is being treated at a local hospital, is in a critical condition.

Rescuers said the landslide was caused by lingering rain, which loosened the hillside.

The county government has issued an urgent notice to the mountainous villages and local reservoirs, asking for due preparations for possible geographical disasters.