7 dead, 15 missing in NW China landslides

LANZHOU, July 26 (Xinhua) - Seven people have died and 15 others remain missing following rain-triggered mudslides that occurred earlier this week in northwest China's Gansu Province, local authorities said Friday.

Two rain-triggered landslides on July 22 in the city of Tianshui  killed four people, according to a statement from the municipal government.

On July 25, a mudslide triggered by torrential rains claimed two lives in Niangniangba Township in the same city. One was killed in Simen Township with 15 others missing.

Traffic linking the township seat with the areas where the landslides occurred has yet to be resumed.

Torrential rain has forced the relocation of 30,000 of the city's residents, as well as incurred direct economic losses of 8.28 billion yuan (1.34 billion U.S. dollars), the statement said.

Rescue work is under way.