China landslide deaths rise to 25

The death toll from a landslide triggered by flooding in China has risen to 25, with 12 more people missing, state-run media reported Monday, AFP reports.

The avalanche of mud and rock caused by torrential rains engulfed 27 homes last Friday night in Lishui in the eastern province of Zhejiang, the China News Service said. Only one person among the 38 people inside the houses when the landslide struck escaped.

The landslide cut off power, damaged electricity circuits and set some houses on fire, the report added.

"I saw the house in front of me was ablaze before it was buried by mud. I heard people screaming for help from inside. But I really couldn't get over to them," the report quoted the survivor, a 26-year-old man identified only by his surname Li, as saying.

More than 2,300 rescuers and more than 60 digging machines were mobilised to search for people buried alive, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The local meteorological department forecast more rain for several days, warning of a risk of further landslides and crop damage, it said.