Xinjiang mudslide kills one, traps 500 vehicles

A sudden mudslide has killed one person and trapped around 500 vehicles on Sunday evening on a highway in west China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said rescuers on Monday.

The mudslide occurred at 8 p.m. Sunday on a section of the No. 314 National Highway near the Akto County of the Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture of Kizilsu, said Dong Boli, head of the rescue operation.

The sudden mudslide forced a sport utility vehicle off the highway with six people onboard before burying it.

Five of those injured inside the vehicle were quickly rescued, but one person remained missing. A body found early Monday morning was that of the missing passenger, rescuers confirmed.

The mudslide covered a large section of highway, trapping at least 500 vehicles.

Local government authorities have sent rescuers to clear the road. The five injured have been sent to a local hospital.

As of Monday noon, the highway section had not been cleared up.