On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave instructions concerning the landslide in southwestern China that claimed 15 lives. Xi called for strengthening disaster prevention because it is a responsibility to the people.

He also stressed that protecting the lives and property of the people is a job that needs to be done effectively.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also gave instructions on the disaster-relief work.

The ministries of finance and emergency management have allocated 30 million yuan (about 4.35 million U.S. dollars) from China's central budget for disaster relief after the landslide killed 15 people in southwestern China's Guizhou Province. 

A state-level emergency medical team arrived at the landslide site early Wednesday morning, the National Health Commission said.

The commission also sent three leading medical experts from Beijing to help local doctors treat the injured, the commission said in a press release.

As of Thursday morning, 15 people had been found dead. Another 11 have been rescued, and an estimated 30 are still missing. 

The incident occurred at around 9:20 p.m. local time on Tuesday, burying 21 houses.

The volume of silt in the landslide is estimated to be more than 2 million cubic meters.

So far, more than 20 heavy-duty excavators and over 100 rescue vehicles have been sent to the site. 

Rescuers have also set up more than 100 tents to help with the rescue work. Relief goods, including food and medicine, have also been sent to the site.

Search and rescue efforts are still underway.

(with input from Xinhua News Agency)