Rescuers search for signs of life at the landslide site in Taining County, East China's Fujian Province, May 8, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

"It's been raining all the time over the past couple of days and I didn't think it was a big deal," Deng said. "But the rain last night was more fierce than ever."

Deng and his roommates were sent to hospital at 9 a.m. Sunday. One of them was critically injured. All those treated in hospital are in stable condition, according to doctors.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged maximum efforts to ensure a speedy rescue mission. Premier Li Keqiang issued a written instruction calling for full efforts to search for and rescue those missing in the landslide and to treat the injured.