2010-07-01 14:07

GUANLING, Guizhou -- The death toll from a rain-triggered landslide in southwest China's Guizhou Province has risen to 10 after rescuers recovered another two bodies Thursday morning, the rescue headquarters said.

Some 2,000 people continued the rescue operation, but the chance of survival for the other 89 villagers was slim after being buried under mud for three days.

More bodies are expected to be found as rescuers comb the ruins.

The landslide struck 37 homes in Dazhai Village, Gangwu Township of Anshun City's Guanling County, at 2:30 p.m. Monday.

"The landslide lasted only two minutes, and there was no warning. It was very difficult for the villagers to escape," said an official with the Guizhou Provincial Work Safety Bureau.

"The sound was much like thunder. When I looked back, the whole village had disappeared," said survivor Zhang Jin.

The landslide brought down about 1.5 to 2 million cubic meters of mud, which was unstable and likely to trigger additional landslides, said Yin Yueping, a researcher with the Ministry of Land and Resources.

At least 1,000 villagers who lived in the area have since been evacuated.