Landslide buries 47 people in China’s southwestern Yunnan province

A massive landslide has buried 47 people in China’s southwestern Yunnan province, according to local authorities.

State news agency Xinhua reported that the disaster struck on Sunday in the village of Liangshui, beneath the town of Tangfang in Zhenxiong County.

Rescue teams have been dispatched to the area to search for survivors, but the chances of finding anyone alive are slim. The landslide buried 27 homes and damaged several others, leaving hundreds of people homeless.

The cause of the landslide is still unknown, but heavy rain and geological factors are believed to have played a role. The area is prone to landslides and other natural disasters, and local authorities have been warning residents to take precautions.