GUIYANG - Seventeen people have been confirmed dead and six others remain missing after a landslide destroyed most of a village in Southwest China's Guizhou province on Wednesday night, local authorities said on Friday.

More than 400 rescuers, including soldiers, armed police, firefighters and civilians, are searching for the missing in Yingping village, two days after a 600-meter-high knoll broke free and swept into the village in Fuquan City.

A team of experts have arrived at the site to investigate the cause of the landslide, according to the on-site rescue headquarters.

A total of 77 houses were toppled or buried, and another 22 people were injured. The local government has relocated villagers to safer sites.

Residents said Yingping was occupied mainly by children and elderly when the landslide struck, as many villagers had moved to cities for work.

Relief materials, including tents, water and food, have been sent to the the displaced residents.