The death toll from mudslides that hit a village in southwest China's Yunnan Province Wednesday has climbed to 21, and 27 people are still missing, rescue officials said Saturday. Local health authorities have beefed up disinfection to prevent outbreaks of diseases, said Su Shaode, head of Longyang District Health Bureau in Baoshan City. The mudslides occurred at about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday in Hedong Village of Longyang District in Baoshan City, Xinhua reported. Of the eight hospitalized survivors, three critically injured have been transferred to the Baoshan No. 1 People's Hospital, Su said. The three were out of danger, but still seriously ill. Pan Jiyong, head of the Longyang District Land and Resources Bureau, said about 30 bureau staff were monitoring the disaster region to prevent secondary disasters. Wang Yu, head of Yunnan Provincial Geological Survey, said the local authorities should boost the disaster monitoring system in the mudslide-prone province. An initial investigation blamed the tragedy on loose dirt and rocks sitting on a steep slope that had been soaked by rain for about 10 days. Up to 40,000 cubic meters of debris came crashing down on the densely populated village, trapping 71 people from 21 families. More than 1,100 people have participated in the rescue operation.
