Flash floods kill 17 in Qinghai province

The death toll from flash floods triggered by sudden heavy rains in Qinghai province rose to 17 as of 8 pm on Thursday, with more than 2,000 emergency rescuers making an all-out effort to search for another 17 people who were still missing.

The rain started to lash Datong Hui and Tu autonomous county in Xining, Qinghai province at around 10:30 pm on Wednesday. This triggered mudslides in the early hours of Thursday, causing rivers to change course, according to a media release from the local authorities.

A preliminary investigation showed the floods affected 6,245 people from six villages.