Survivors pulled from landslide in China

SENZHEN, China, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Rescuers began pulling the first victim out of the rubble Tuesday of the massive landslide that destroyed 33 buildings, but the first survivor was also found.

A crew of about 4,000 people have worked since Sunday's landslide in the industrial town to find survivors and victims. The first survivor, Tian Zeming, a 21-year-old migrant worker, lasted 67 hours in a collapsed building.

Rescuers found Zeming in a hole just under the roof. He said he stayed alive by thinking of his mother and eating sunflower seeds and grapefruit, he told Chinese media.

Though his leg was pinned by debris, Zeming realized how lucky he was that food had fallen in the spot where he was trapped. Not only did he have the food, but fresh air from the cracks in the building walls.

Rescuers found him because Zeming continually tapped on nearby surfaces with a stone. He was trapped next to a co-worker, but the man died before rescuers could reach them.

Zeming was able to reach up and touch rescuers when he was first found, but they would have to dig another hold to his right to get him out. He was given oxygen and an intravenous drip while workers freed his leg.

Doctors said Zeming has a crushed right leg, multiple broken bones, multiple cuts and bruises and is severely dehydrated. He underwent four hours of surgery to save his leg, but it is not known if doctors were successful.

Zeming had only been working for the Dejicheng Fine Hardware Company about 10 days at the time of the landslide.

About 76 people are still missing, CNN reported. Three are known dead. At least 16 people remain hospitalized, with three in serious condition, officials said. Hundreds of evacuees also remain sheltered in a local sports stadium.

Sunday's landslide of construction waste destroyed 33 buildings and spread a field of muddy debris 94 acres and broke a gas pipeline. The clean up and search for bodies is expected to take weeks, Chinese TV reported.