19 confirmed dead after SW China landslide

GUIYANG -- Nineteen people have been confirmed dead while four others remain missing on Saturday, three days after a landslide hit a village in Southwest China's Guizhou Province.

Another landslide in the small hours of Saturday struck Yingping Village of Daoping Township in Guizhou, but due to its evacuation, there were no casualties, said sources with the rescue headquarters on Saturday.

Of 22 people injured in the original landslide, one has been discharged from hospital, and none of the others suffered life-threatening injuries.

Rescuers continue to search for the missing.

A 10-person team of experts is investigating the cause of the landslide and providing advices over the rescue, said the headquarters.

The experts have identified three landslide-prone areas while 64 villagers of 17 households were evacuated on Friday afternoon.

The survivors are expected to move into new houses in three settlements next July, the headquarters added.

A total of 77 houses were toppled or buried when a 600-meter-high knoll broke free and swept into Yingping on Wednesday night.

Residents said it was occupied mainly by children and elderly when the landslide struck, as many villagers had moved to cities for work.

Relief materials, including tents, water and food, have been sent to the the displaced residents.

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