Death toll in south-west China landslide rises to 39, with five still missing

Rescuers have struggled with snow, ice and freezing temperatures (Hu Chao/Xinhua via AP)

The death toll from a landslide in a remote, mountainous part of south-west China rose to 39 on Thursday, while five people remained missing, Chinese state media reported.

The disaster struck early Monday in the village of Liangshui in the north-east part of Yunnan province.