Rescuers search for survivors after a landslide hit Xinmo village, Maoxian county, Southwest China's Sichuan province on June 24, 2017. (Xinhua photo)
BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday ordered all-out rescue efforts for those buried by a landslide in Southwest China's Sichuan province.
The landslide from a high part of a mountain in Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Aba hit Xinmo village at about 6 am, burying 62 homes and more than 100 people. A 2-km section of river was blocked.
Authorities must make maximum efforts to reduce casualties and prevent secondary disasters, Xi said.
Family members of the missing people and those suffering losses in the disaster must be given appropriate care, according to his instruction.
Xi has ordered the State Council, China's Cabinet, to send a work team to the site.
The landslide from a high part of a mountain in Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture fell to the village in Maozian county, burying 1,600 meters of road.
A couple and their one-month-old baby have been rescued and taken to local hospital
The Sichuan provincial government has launched the highest level of disaster relief response.
More than 1,000 workers with life-detection instruments have been deployed for the rescue operations.
A vehicle with satellite equipment and a drone are also being used at the disaster zone.
The civil affairs bureau of Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture has sent 20 tents, 400 quilts, two electric generators and 400 sets of clothes to the site.
According to publicity officials of Maoxian country, a couple and their one-month-old baby were rescued and taken to local hospital.
According to the weather department, more rainfall is expected in the next three days, which is expected to hamper the rescue effort.The provincial department of land and resources said the landslide was caused by heavy rain. An estimated 18 million cubic meters of earth mass fell some 1,600 meters, engulfing the village, the authorities said.
Rescuers search for survivors after a landslide hit Xinmo village, Maoxian county, Southwest China's Sichuan province on June 24, 2017. (Xinhua photo)
About 100 people are buried and 40 homes smashed after a landslide hit Xinmo village, Maoxian county, Southwest China's Sichuan province on June 24, 2017. (Xinhua photo)
Rescuers search for survivors after a landslide hit Xinmo village, Maoxian county, Southwest China's Sichuan province on June 24, 2017. (Xinhua photo)
About 100 people are buried and 40 homes smashed after a landslide hit Xinmo village, Maoxian county, Southwest China's Sichuan province on June 24, 2017. (Xinhua photo)
Almost 100 cars are stranded after a landslide hit the Sichuan-Tibet Highway in Markham county, the Tibet Autonomous Region, China on June 24, 2017. (Xinhua)
Almost 100 cars are stranded after a landslide hit the Sichuan-Tibet Highway in Markham county, the Tibet Autonomous Region, China on June 24, 2017. (Xinhua)
