Death toll mounts in Chinese landslides

Landslides caused by heavy rain in southern China have killed at least 38 people, reports said today.

The official Xinhua News Agency said rescuers have recovered 18 more bodies in the Guangxi region, where landslides triggered by torrential rains this week have blocked roads and damaged homes.

At least 23 people have died in Rongxian county and 12 in Cenxi county – the worst-hit areas.

Xinhua says more than 80,000 people have been evacuated from a seven-city area because of heavy rain that started on Monday with almost 3,000 left homeless after their houses were destroyed.

The agency said rescuers are still searching for 14 missing villagers.