Eighteen road workers were buried Wednesday evening by mud-rock flows caused by landslides on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, one of the highest roads in China, serving as a communication link between Tibet and other parts of the country.
Two workers were saved and three were found dead by rescuers by local police and communication department Thursday morning.
The two survivors, one seriously injured, the other suffering minor injuries, were taken to hospital.
The 18 victims, including five Tibetans, were workers with the Tibetan Tianyi Road and Bridge Company in southwestern China's Tibet Autonomous Region, said the Tibet communication bureau.
Rescue work was continuing despite difficulties caused by rain and darkness.
(Xinhua News Agency July 10, 2003)
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