dragonmatchmegaways|8 killed, 19 missing in southwest China flash flood, mudslide

Rescuers operate machinery to restore traffic at Ridi Village in Kangding Citydragonmatchmegaways, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Augdragonmatchmegaways. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

KANGDING, Sichuan, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Eight people had been killed and 19 others remained missing as of 2:30 p.m. Sunday after a flash flood and mudslide struck the city of Kangding in southwest China's Sichuan Province, local authorities said.

The disaster took place at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday in Kangding, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, toppling a tunnel bridge and destroying homes in Ridi Village. The village is located in a valley at an altitude of 1,300 meters above sea level, with nearby mountains rising to over 5,000 meters above sea level.

The natural disaster has left six people dead and 11 others missing in Ridi Village. Moreover, the collapse of a bridge between tunnels, triggered by the disaster, resulted in the plummeting of four vehicles.

With one individual rescued and hospitalized, the bridge collapse has killed two, leaving eight others still among the missing, the local rescue headquarters said.

Local authorities have swiftly organized a full-scale rescue operation in response to the disaster, with 1,554 rescuers deployed so far. Their tireless efforts have also seen the successful relocation and resettlement of 939 affected residents.■

A staff member of the provincial institute of geological research operates a drone to collect date of the disaster site at Ridi Village in Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

Rescuers search for missing people at Ridi Village in Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

An aerial drone photo shows rescuers operating machinery to restore traffic at Ridi Village in Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

An aerial drone photo shows rescuers searching for missing people at Ridi Village in Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

An aerial drone photo shows rescuers operating machinery to restore traffic at Ridi Village in Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

Police officers and villagers try to transfer a trapped car at Ridi Village in Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)

Rescuers wade through floodwater to the disaster site of Ridi Village in Kangding City, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Kun)