The death toll from mudslides that hit a village in southwest China's Yunnan Province Wednesday has climbed to 12, and 36 are still missing, the rescue headquarters said Thursday.

By 9:30 p.m. Thursday, rescuers had saved 23 people from the rubble of homes in Hedong Village of Longyang District in Baoshan City, headquarters officials said at the site.

The accident happened at about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, trapping 71 people from 21 families.

An initial investigation blamed the tragedy on loose dirt and rocks sitting on a sleep slope which had been soaked in rainfall for about ten days.

More than 1,000 people have participated in the rescue operation and more than 120 medical workers are treating the injured and disinfecting the site.

Tents, quilts, clothes and plenty of first-aid materials have been sent to the site where rescuers are evacuating people to safe places.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2010)