BEIJING - Chinese leaders Xi Jinping, Wen Jiabao and Li Keqiang on Friday ordered all-out efforts to rescue victims of a landslide in Southwest China's Yunnan province in order to minimize casualties from the disaster.

The landslide hit Gaopo village in Zhenxiong county at around 8:20 am on Friday, burying the homes of 16 families. Thirty-nine people have since been confirmed killed.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, said efforts must be made to resettle affected residents, prevent secondary disasters and successfully complete relief work so as to ensure stability.

Rescuers carry a body away after a landslide hit Gaopo village, Zhenxiong county of Zhaotong city, Southwest China's Yunnan province, on Jan 11, 2013. [Photo by Zhang Guangyu]