17 Killed, 6 Missing in China Landslide

BEIJING: At least 17 people have been killed and six others remained missing after a landslide destroyed a village in China's southwestern Guizhou Province.    

The landslide struck Yingping Village in Fuquan City on Wednesday night, injuring 22 people and toppling 77 houses in addition to those killed or missing.      

The injured have been admitted to local hospitals and are in stable condition.     

Efforts are on to rescue the survivors from the debris as half of a 600-metre-high knoll broke free and wiped out a majority of the village at the foot of the hill, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.            

The local government has relocated other villagers to safer places. Residents said the village was occupied mainly by children and elderly when the landslide struck, as adults had moved to city for work.            

Relief materials, including tents, water and food, have been sent to the villagers.