China allocates 50 mln yuan for Yunnan landslide disaster relief work

BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- China has allocated disaster relief funds totaling 50 million yuan (about 7 million U.S. dollars) following a landslide in the southwestern Yunnan Province early on Monday, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

The funds, jointly allocated by the Ministry of Emergency Management and the Ministry of Finance, will be used to support disaster-relief and emergency-rescue work focusing on search and rescue, the relocation of affected people, secondary disaster detection, the repair of damaged homes, and other areas.

The landslide hit Liangshui Village in the city of Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, at approximately 6 a.m. Monday, burying 47 people. Seven people have been confirmed dead as of 6:30 p.m., local authorities have said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security has directed public security organs in Yunnan to make all-out disaster relief efforts.

The ministry urged public security organs in the province to cooperate actively with relevant departments on search and relocation work, and to ensure smooth traffic for rescue vehicles.