10 dead, 29 missing in Sichuan flooding
State media on Sunday said rescuers had found the bodies of ten people swept away by flash floods in Sichuan province, as extreme weather continues in many parts of China. The official Xinhua news agency said 29 people remained missing after heavy rain triggered the flooding at a village under the city of Ya’an. Rescuers were reported to be using drones, sniffer dogs and life detectors to search for the missing. Visiting the scene, Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing called for all-out efforts to rescue the missing. He also said efforts should be increased to prevent secondary disasters, such as mudslides. He said local authorities across the country should further strengthen preparations for heavy rain and flooding, especially in vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, Xinhua reported that 15 bodies had now been found after Friday’s collapse of a highway bridge in Shaanxi province. That disaster was also triggered by heavy rain.