2 April

Thirty firefighters have been killed in a forest fire in China's inland province of Sichuan.

State-run media reported that about 700 firefighters were deployed to tackle the fire that broke out in the forest in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture on Saturday.

They struggled to contain the wildfire in difficult mountainous conditions at an altitude of about 4,000 meters.

A sudden change in wind direction reportedly caused the blaze to spread further, trapping the 30 firefighters.

Rescue efforts involving military helicopters discovered all of their bodies before Monday evening.

Video footage shows red flames and white smoke rising from the area.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. Local media quoted an expert as saying it may have been triggered by lightning.

NHK