The landslide hit about 8am, burying three employee dormitories at the Xinxin Coal Mine, according to a statement from the county publicity office.

The office said torrential downpours had drenched the area since Monday, with 109.5mm occurring just before the landslide occurred yesterday morning.

Of the 10 people trapped in the aftermath, just four survivors were taken to hospital. The other six were pronounced dead at the scene.