At least people have been killed, and forty-seven others buried in a landslide in southwestern Yunnan province on Monday, state media reported.

The landslide took place at 5.51am in Zhenxiong County, Xinhua news agency reported, citing local authorities.

Broadcaster CCTV said around 18 households were buried in the landslide, and that more than 200 people were "urgently evacuated" from the area.

The broadcaster said authorities had launched an emergency response involving over 200 rescue workers as well as dozens of fire engines and other equipment.

Footage from CCTV showed emergency workers in orange jumpsuits and helmets picking through piles of collapsed masonry.

Xinhua also reported that efforts to establish what happened are underway.

President Xi Jinping, meanwhile, urged "all-out" rescue efforts, CCTV reported.

He "demanded that rescue forces are organised quickly... and efforts made to reduce casualties as far as possible," the broadcaster reported him as saying.

The President added that it was "necessary to properly handle the work of comforting the families of the deceased and resettling affected people". (AFP)
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Last updated: 2024-01-22 HKT 14:16