According to preliminary estimates, 44 people were killed in a landslide in Yunnan province in southwestern China on Monday, AFP and Agerpres reported, citing state media.

Rescue operations in ChinaPhoto: IMAGO / imago stock&people / Profimedia

The tragedy struck at 5:51 a.m. local time (9:51 p.m. GMT Sunday) in Liang Shui village in Zhenxiong County, and “44 people from 18 households were buried,” national broadcaster CCTV said.

“More than 200 residents were urgently evacuated (from the neighborhood), 10 excavators, 33 fire engines and more than 200 rescuers were involved in search operations,” the TV channel said.

A video posted on Chinese social media site Douyin shows a mountain village covered in snow and houses partially buried by what appears to be a landslide.

Landslides occur regularly in the mountains of southwestern China, especially after the rains.