Landslides kill at least 65 people in China

At least 65 people are dead, and hundreds are missing, following landslides in a rain-soaked area of northwest China, the country’s state-run media reported.

BBC reported that officials in Zhouqu county said the landslides, in a mainly Tibetan area of Gansu province, buried houses and caused a stream to become blocked and flood the area. It has also been reported that a hydro-electric power station was destroyed. The landslides took place late on Saturday, after heavy rains in the area. A senior county official said that the water of the Bailong River flowed into the county seat, trapping many people, reported BBC. Sludge which is too thick to walk or drive through is now the major obstacle to rescue efforts. Floods in China have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 people this year, and caused billions of dollars in damage.