44 people buried in Landslide in mountainous southwestern China

Beijing: A landslide buried 44 people in China's southwestern Yunnan province on Monday, according to state media.

"44 people from 18 households were buried according to preliminary investigation," state broadcaster CCTV said that the landslide occurred at 5:51 a.m. (2151 GMT Sunday) in Zhenxiong County.

More than 200 individuals have been "urgently evacuated" from the region, according to CCTV, the New Indian Express reported.

According to the broadcaster, officials conducted an emergency response that included over 200 rescue workers, dozens of fire engines, and other equipment.

According to state news agency Xinhua, the number of villagers buried is "unknown".

A local broadcast station aired footage on social media of emergency workers in orange jumpsuits and helmets searching through piles of collapsed masonry amid towering mountains coated with snow.

Landslides are widespread in Yunnan, a remote region of China where steep mountain ranges meet the Himalayan plateau.

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