Society

Death toll rises to 21 in SW China mudlide

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-04 17:47

BAOSHAN, Yunnan - Death toll from multiple mudslides that hit a village in Southwest China's Yunnan province on Wednesday has climbed to 21, and 27 are still missing, rescue officials said Saturday.

The figure stood at 16 late Friday.

Related readings:  Death toll rises to 16 in SW China landslide  Rescue work in Yunnan after mudslide  Death toll rises to 12 in SW China landslide  Landslide kills four; 44 missing in SW China

Local health authorities have beefed up disinfection work to prevent outbreaks of diseases, said Su Shaode, head of Longyang District Health Bureau in Baoshan City.

The mudslides occurred at about 10:20 pm Wednesday in Hedong Village of Longyang District in Baoshan City.

Of the eight hospitalized survivors, three critically injured have been transferred to the Baoshan No. 1 People's Hospital, according to Su. The three were out of danger, but still seriously ill, he added.

Pan Jiyong, head of the Longyang District Land and Resources Bureau, said about 30 staff members from the bureau were monitoring the region to prevent secondary disasters.

An initial investigation blamed the tragedy on loose dirt and rocks sitting on a steep slope that had been soaked by rain for about 10 days.

Up to 40,000 cubic meters of debris came crashing down on the densely populated village, trapping 71 people from 21 families.

More than 1,100 people have participated in the rescue operation.