ANKARA

At least eight bodies were retrieved after rain-triggered flash floods in southwestern China's Sichuan province left over 30 missing, state media reported on Sunday.

The bodies were found on Saturday night, and four of them were "brought to safety," Beijing-based Xinhua News reported.

The disaster occurred at around 2:30 a.m. local time and damaged over 40 houses and affected 1,524 residents in Xinhua village, Hanyuan County under Ya'an City.

A total of 443 rescuers were sent to the scene as roads and communications were partially restored, and the affected residents were accommodated.

The rescue operation is still underway.