Mudslide sweeps through Canadian town

A mudslide destroyed about a dozen buildings in the fruit-growing region of southern British Columbia, police and local media said.

No fatalities were immediately reported, but rescue crews using a helicopter and dogs were searching the wrecked buildings near Oliver, British Columbia for possible victims.

A major roadway was also closed when the slide covered it with up to 3.6m of mud, police said.

Residents of the town about 250km east of Vancouver said it may have been caused by water escaping from a mountain stream that became clogged with debris during rains last week.