Landslide in China’s Fujian province buries hydropower station site

A LANDSLIDE triggered by record rainfall in China’s Fujian province has buried parts of a hydropower station site, killing at least eight people.

Rescuers search for potential survivors at the landslide site. Picture: Chinatopix via AP

EIGHT bodies have been found and 33 people are still missing after a landslide hit Taining County in southeastern China’s Fujian province, reports say.

About 100,000 cubic metres of mud and rock flowed downhill in Taining county early on Sunday, burying parts of a hydropower station construction site and its offices, Xinhua news agency reported.

Rescuers use detectors to scan for potential survivors in the rubble. Picture: Chinatopix via AP

The identities of the bodies are yet to be confirmed and rescue efforts were continuing on Monday, Xinhua said.

Rainstorms have battered much of eastern and southern China in recent days.

Thousands of people were evacuated in southwestern Chongqing municipality and central Hubei province over the weekend.

China is bracing for a major flood year, according to Xinhua.

The Three Gorges Reservoir on the Yangtze River recorded an inflow of 17,800 cubic metres of water per second on Sunday, the highest since 1992.

Rescuers look at a damaged building as they search for survivors in Taining county in southeast China's Fujian province. Picture: Chinatopix via AP