China Landslide Buries Small Factories, Killing 10

September 19, 2011

Official media say a landslide caused by heavy rain plowed into two small factories in northwestern China, killing at least 10 people and leaving 22 others missing.

The Xinhua News Agency says the landslide engulfed a brick factory and destroyed part of a ceramics factory in a suburb of Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province.

It says the landslide hit Saturday and sent large amounts of rock and mud tumbling down a mountain. Heavy rains led to three more landslides on Sunday.

The news agency says five people were hurt. More than 700 police, firefighters and local residents are participating in rescue efforts.

By Sunday afternoon, 10 bodies were retrieved from beneath the mud and rock.