Sichuan races to find survivors of deadly landslide

A landslide in China's southwestern Sichuan province that buried more than 30 people on Saturday was caused by heavy rain in the area, state media reported.

China has been hit with extreme weather in recent months, with dozens of people killed in floods last year, its warmest on record.

Scientists say climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent.

Saturday's landslide hit Jinping village in the city of Yibin at around 11.50am.

"A preliminary study shows this disaster occurred due to the influence of recent prolonged rainfall and geological factors," CCTV said, citing local authorities.

As of yesterday morning, "one person has been killed and 28 people are missing," state news agency Xinhua said. Two people were saved on Saturday and more than 900 rescuers are attempting to find the rest who are missing.

Video footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed rescuers searching through debris.

President Xi Jinping ordered authorities to do "everything possible to search for and rescue missing people, minimize casualties and properly handle the aftermath."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE