Grassland fire in China kills 22

A grassland fire in a mountainous Tibetan region in southwest China killed at least 22 people and severely burnt another on Sunday, state media said.

A grassland fire in a mountainous Tibetan region in southwest China killed at least 22 people and severely burnt another on Sunday, state media said.

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The spreading blaze trapped soldiers and local residents trying to put out the fire in the remote area, the Xinhua news agency said quoting unnamed government officials.

The wild fire broke out in Daofu County in Sichuan province at about noon, and was under control three hours later.

However, gusts of wind made the flames worse again, trapping those fighting the blaze over an area of 33 hectares (81 acres).