Five die in landslide in North China

Updated: 2011-07-07 14:56

(Xinhua)

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TAIYUAN - All five workers have been confirmed dead in a landslide that engulfed a boiler house Wednesday in north China's Shanxi province, local officials said Thursday.

The accident happened at about 8 am in a coal mine in the town of Dawu in Luliang City, which unleashed 300,000 cubic meters of mud and rocks to push the boiler house some 20 meters away, trapping five workers, according to rescuers.

Among them, four died on the scene and one died after being sent to the hospital. Rescue efforts ended at Thursday noon.

More than 400 rescuers dug through the debris, trying to retrieve trapped workers.

The landslide was apparently triggered by heavy rainfall in the region, which caused direct economic losses of more than 4.8 million yuan (US$ 738,500), according to the rescue command center.

Relevant departments have started monitoring work to prevent further disasters.