A TOTAL of 19 people were killed and five others got slightly injured following a mountain collapse  Sunday in Leshan City, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, local authorities said Sunday night.

The collapse took place at around 6 a.m. in a forest farm in Yongsheng Township, Jinkouhe District of the city.

More than 600 people rushed to the site for rescue and search with the help of professional rescue equipment. The rescue operation ended at 8 p.m. Sunday.

An investigation into the cause of the mountain collapse is underway. (Xinhua)