Dozens buried by mudslides in China as rescue workers comb for survivors

Flooding has triggered mudslides in a western region of China, and emergency responders estimate about 40 have been buried.

The mudslides also wrecked a memorial that was erected to mark the nation’s devastating earthquake in 2008, The Associated Press reported.

It’s not known whether those believed buried under the mud stand much chance of survival, emergency officials said. But rescue workers with search dogs are currently combing through the debris, in the city of Dujiangyan, AP said.

Flooding and mudslides are common for some areas of China, especially in the mountainous regions, and hundreds are killed in flood-related incidents each year, AP reported.

Since Sunday, flooding has impacted about 360,000 regional residents. About 300 homes have been destroyed, and an estimate 6,100 forced to flee their residences, AP said.