BEIJING (Sputnik) – Heavy rains in Taining County of Sanming city in the region were suspected of triggering the mudslide at around 5:00 a.m. local time [21:00 GMT] Sunday. An estimated 26.4 million gallons of mud and rocks buried a shed and workers’ dormitories at a hydropower station.
Thirteen people have been pulled out alive so far, all of them in stable condition, according to China News Service.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered maximum efforts to ensure an efficient rescue mission, while Premiere LI Keqiang issued the same order in written form.
Rescue workers have been joined by police and sniffer dogs to help detect any signs of life in the debris. Dozens of excavators are digging through the boulders, mud and twisted steel, while dozens of ambulances and army vehicles are on standby, the outlet adds.
Search operations are hampered by intermittent rainfalls, with more precipitation expected this week.
