16 Dead, 66 Missing in Rain-Triggered Landslides in Sichuan

»A total of 16 people have been killed and other 66 are missing in the latest spate of landslides triggered by heavy rain in Sichuan Province since August 13, local official said Friday.

»As of 17:00 p.m. August 19, 16 people were dead and 66 were missing, an official with the emergency response office told a news conference. 5,760,000 people were affected by the rains and mudslides, covering 67 counties or cities.

»Over thousands of houses were collapsed during the landslides and nearly 80,000 mu of farmland were destroyed.