At least 12 people have been killed and 36 are still missing after mudslides hit a village in southwest China's Yunnan province, authorities said Thursday.

Rescuers had saved 23 people by 9:30 p.m. Thursday from the rubble of homes in Hedong village of Longyang district in Baoshan city, officials said.

The accident happened at about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, trapping 71 people from 21 families, Xinhua reported.

More than 1,000 people have participated in the rescue operation and over 120 medical workers are treating the injured.