A massive landslide on Friday left 15 people dead and 11 seriously injured in Wuding county in southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to local government sources.
The landslide struck after continuous rain since Thursday, badly damaging Yichikou village with a population of 179 people. The houses of 14 families were buried and telecommunications and transport links blocked.
Rescue teams were dispatched to the site and a fund totaling 1.4 million yuan (US$170,000) was allocated immediately to help the affected families. Relief materials including quilts, clothes, tents and rice have been rushed to the county.
So far, all affected people have been moved to safety and relief work is underway.
(Xinhua News Agency October 6, 2002)
