Fifteen killed, many missing in China mudslide

Heavy rains and mudslides have killed at least 15 people and left several missing in China since last Thursday, state media reported on Monday. Four-days of torrential rain triggered mudslides that killed 9 people in southwestern Sichuan Province, state television reported. Local authorities evacuated people from affected areas, after weather reports forecast more rain for coming days. In central Hubei province, mudslides caused by heavy rain washed away four farmers, who were confirmed dead on Saturday after search teams recovered their bodies. Mudslides also killed two, injured two more and left one missing in remote southwestern Yunnan Province. Torrential rain, flooding and mudslides plague central and southern China each year during the country's annual rainy season. Last September, a mudslide caused by the collapse of a mine waste reservoir in northern Shanxi province killed more than 250 people.