The Associated Press

Mon, Sep 8, 2008 (5:33 a.m.)

A landslide triggered by heavy rain killed at least 26 people in northern China on Monday, while an unknown number of others remained trapped, a state news agency reported.

The flow of mud and rocks in Shanxi province collapsed a mine warehouse, Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the provincial work safety bureau. It was not known how many of the victims were inside the warehouse when the landslide occurred at about 8 a.m. in Xiangfen county of Linfen city.

More than 300 police and villagers were searching for survivors, Xinhua said.

One person was injured, Xinhua reported. Twenty-two people were rescued, state broadcaster China Central Television said.

A man surnamed Zhao at the Shanxi Work Safety Administration told The Associated Press that a landslide killed 26 people but said he had no other details. Phones at the Xiangfen government office and the local communist party committee rang unanswered.