Wang Xiangxi, minister of emergency management, has rushed to Zhenxiong county, Yunnan province, to guide efforts to rescue 47 people buried in a landslide accident.

The natural disaster occurred shortly before 6 am on Monday in Liangshui village, according to a media release from the ministry.

Upon receiving news of the landslide, Wang immediately arranged for search and rescue operations to commence, asking local authorities to enhance monitoring at the site.

The release said 812 members of the national comprehensive fire and rescue team have arrived at the site with 174 vehicles.

Another 102 members of the country's national rescue team, which usually deals with workplace accidents, and 33 employees from the China Anneng Construction Group Corporation have also joined the search and rescue effort, it noted.