Rescuers in southwest China's Sichuan Province are searching for six people who have been missing since a landslide hit the area, local authorities said Wednesday.

The landslide occurred around 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday, sending an estimated 2 million cubic meters of sand and stones down the hills of Wuquan Township, Wangcang County of Guangyuan City, according to the publicity department of the county government.

Local residents of five households affected by the landslide have been evacuated.

The cause of the disaster is under investigation.