Society

Landslides hit NW China, at least 65 dead

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-08 09:13

LANZHOU - At least 65 people have been killed as of Sunday morning in rainstorm-triggered landslides which hit northwest China's Zhouqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, said Mao Shengwu, head of the prefecture.

The landslides occurred at around 00:00 a.m. Sunday in Zhouqu County and a barrier lake was formed on the Bailong River which runs through the county at around 1:00 a.m..

At least 50,000 people were believed to be affected as floods had submerged half of the county and many houses were buried by landslides, local authorities said.

Rescuers are searching for the missing people.