Society

Death toll rises to 26 in SW China landslide

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-03 17:09

GUANLING - Rescuers have retrieved 26 bodies and 73 people remained missing six days after a landslide in southwest China's Guizhou Province, rescue headquarters said Saturday.

Rescuers had been looking for signs of life, but had found no survivors, said Pu Jianjiang, head of search team of the rescue headquarters.

"Although the chances are slim, we have not given up looking for survivors," he said.

More than 700 rescuers and 26 excavators are working on the site.

The landslide occurred at 2:30 p.m. on June 28 in Dazhai Village, Guanling County, burying 99 people.

At least 1,000 villagers living in the area have been evacuated.

Medical workers are disinfecting and treating rescuers to prevent disease outbreaks and heatstroke.