四川茂县山体垮塌最新消息

At least 24 people have been killed and 109 are missing after a massive landslide in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

What happened?

The landslide struck the mountainous village of Xinmo in Maoxian County at about 6 a.m. local time on Saturday (22:00 GMT Friday), and buried more than 120 people from 62 homes.

An estimated 18 million cubic meters of earth fell some 1,600 meters, engulfing half of Xinmo.

The provincial government has launched the highest level of disaster relief response and sent rescue teams to the site.

A desperate search for possible survivors is under way.

Currently, more than 3,000 rescuers with life-detection instruments are engaged in the search for survivors.

Bulldozers and heavy diggers have been deployed to remove boulders. Medics were seen treating the injured.

"It's the biggest landslide in this area since the Wenchuan earthquake," Wang Yongbo, one of the local officials in charge of rescue efforts, said, referring to the disaster that left more than 80,000 people dead or missing in 2008 in Sichuan.

How many victims are there?

The rescue headquarters said 24 people have been confirmed dead and 109 are missing as of 11:20 a.m. Sunday. 

The identities of the missing have been made public on the local government's website.

Rescuers have also found "signs of life," possibly from two people under the rubble, with the use of infrared and radar devices, according to the rescue headquarters. Authorities are working to reach the people. 

"We won't give up as long as there is a slim of chance," said one rescuer.

Geological experts at the site said the chance of survival for the people buried is slim.

What caused the landslide? 

The provincial department of land and resources said heavy rain triggered the avalanche of rock.

There has been no reported seismic activity in China in the last 30 days but there has been a significant increase in the intensity of seasonal rains.

China has been experiencing weeks of heavy summer rains that often cause flooding and landslides in rural and mountainous regions.

It appears that heavy rain loosened the ground sufficiently to cause an entire mountainside to collapse on top of the village and fill the Minjiang River. ongoing rescue work will need to not only rescue and recover people but to open the river channel.

Where is the Xinmo village?