Seven tourists killed by falling rocks in China

The rocks hit group of travellers as they waited to board boats in the Diecai Mountain scenic area in Guilin

BEIJING: Seven tourists died on Thursday when they were struck by huge rocks tumbling down a mountain in one of China's most popular beauty spots, state media said.

The rocks hit the group of travellers as they waited to board boats in the Diecai Mountain scenic area in Guilin, China Radio International (CRI) said.

Pictures posted online showed rocks - one as big as a metre wide - resting on broken pavement splattered with pools of blood with handbags, shoes and other personal items scattered across the ground.
"Four were killed at the scene and four others injured," CRI said in a report on its website. "Three of the injured later died in hospital."

The official news agency Xinhua said an "unknown" number of injured were being treated in a hospital in Guilin, in the southern region of Guangxi.

Xinhua said the fatalities were the result of a "huge boulder", while CRI and state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said "rocks" fell down the mountain.

CCTV said in a Tweet that 19 people were injured, with eight of the casualties from Taiwan.

The area is known for its karst mountains and caves, and is a popular site for Chinese and foreign visitors, with Diecai Mountain - also known as Folded Brocade Hill - offering stunning views.