Rescuers have retrieved three bodies from the debris of a landslide that occurred Monday morning in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province.

The exact number of victims in the landslide that occurred at 5:50 a.m., remained unknown.

Witnesses said that three motor tricycles carrying fruits and vegetables were buried, according to local police. Two of the vehicles have been found.

Ding Zuquan, a land and resources official who is overseeing the rescue work, said continuous rains in recent days had soaked the loess hill in Chengguan District, and caused landslides Monday morning.

He said more than 40 policemen and fire fighters are searching for the victims.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2009)