A hotel in Hubei crumbled after being hit by a landslide. (Photo : Facebook)
Chinese state media reported that the hotel was hit by a landslide of 3,000 cubic meters of debris that rolled behind the three-story hotel. Rescuers estimated the largest rock to weigh 150 tons last Sunday.
Rescuers were also apprehensive to proceed with operations as they feared that more debris might slide further. They were able to pull out five people initially but two of them died in a hospital.
By Sunday, state media confirmed that the rescuers were able to retrieve 12 bodies and all are dead. The victims were eating at the restaurant at the ground floor when the disaster struck.
The hotel guests were estimated to have an age range of 17 to 61 years old.
Landslides are a common occurrence in China because of heavy rainfall. Another landslide caused a tragedy when Typhoon Megi devastated the country.
Typhoon Megi brought in enormous amounts of rain. In Fujian Province, there were 8 inches of rain in 24 hours. The nonstop rain triggered the landslide.
The landslide buried the builders' temporary shed at a construction site of a hydropower station and damaged its offices, killing almost 40 people.
The disaster prompted President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang to instruct Fujian local officials to implement "maximum efforts" in rescue and caring for the victims.
At the same time, Premier Li called on the Ministry of Land and Resources to assist.
Because of the frequency of geological disasters, the National Meteorological Council established a four-level warning system at times of heavy rain. The Council would raise the red alert if heavy rains are incessant and would call for an evacuation.
