Nine killed by avalanche in Tibet

LHASA -- Nine people who were buried by an avalanche in Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region were confirmed dead on Monday.

They were all residents of Dungru village in Rutog county, Ngari prefecture, the location of a avalanche that shifted snow up to eight meters deep on to grazing land Sunday morning, according to the prefectural government.

More than 350 sheep and 110 yak were also buried in the snow.

According to local sources, cracks have since appeared on the surrounding glaciers, and rescuers are concerned that more avalanches may occur. They have evacuated two households.

Rutog county is in the northwest of Tibet, with an average elevation of 4,500 meters (about 14,800 feet).