337 People Killed And 1,148 Remain Missing After Landslides In China

[Turborama]

Run time: 02:07 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzwMzkzO0Mg   Posted on YouTube: August 09, 2010 By YouTube Member: AlJazeeraEnglish Views on YouTube: 263   Posted on DU: August 09, 2010 By DU Member: Turborama Views on DU: 447

 
Hundreds of people have been killed and more than a thousand remain missing after landslides sparked by heavy rains on Saturday struck China's northwest province of Gansu.

Tens of thousands of residents have evacuated the region after many homes were destroyed or buried by the landslides.

Authorities have sent nearly 3,000 soldiers and about 100 medical experts to help in search and rescue effort.

Al Jazeera English's Harry Fawcett reports.

1,100 missing in China as flooding continues in Asia



Updated: Mon Aug. 09 2010 12:35:00

CTV.ca News Staff

The search for survivors in northwestern China is growing desperate in the wake of flash floods and landslides that have killed hundreds and disrupted the lives of millions more across Asia.

In one of the most dramatic cases, a landslide in Gansu province took out an entire village.

Rescuers were digging through mud and wreckage there on Monday using shovels or their hands, CTV's Beijing Bureau Chief Ben O'Hara-Byrne reported. In one instance, rescuers were able to pull a 74-year-old woman from the rubble of her home.

"But overall survivors are saying they don't think very many people escaped this landslide that crashed into the town at midnight Saturday, when very many people were sleeping," O'Hara-Byrne said. "There are very few signs of optimism today."

Officials estimate that landslides in Gansu province have killed 337 people, covering villages in water and mud. But the number of dead is likely to climb as rubble is removed, with 1,148 people reported missing by Monday night, local time. About 45,000 people have also been relocated on evacuation order

Full article: http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100809/china-floods-100809/20100809/?hub=WinnipegHome