RESCUERS in China were searching today for dozens missing after heavy rains caused flash flooding and a bridge collapse in different parts of China, killing at least 25 people.

Flash flooding tore through a village in south-western Sichuan province in the middle of the night on Saturday and rescuers said 10 people had died and they were searching for another 29 missing. 

Days of heavy rain swelled the river that runs through the village of Xinhua in Hanyuan county. The water swept away 40 houses on the riverbank, according to local media, while also breaking bridges and cutting off roads.