A sudden flash flood in Inner Mongolia has claimed the lives of eight people and left four others missing, according to Chinese state media reports on Sunday.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Saturday while a group of 13 people were camping in Urat Rear Banner. Only one person has been rescued so far, and search and rescue efforts are still ongoing, Xinhua news agency reported.
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management has ordered a full-scale rescue operation and sent a team to the scene to assist with the response and confirm the identities of the missing, state broadcaster CCTV said.
Flash floods and other natural disasters are common in China during the summer months, with some areas facing severe rainfall and others extreme heat. Earlier this month, at least 13 people died in flash floods and mudslides in northwest China, and heavy rainfall in Beijing killed 44 people in July.
Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including deadly floods.
