Rescue vehicles drive by a muddy road where 24 people are missing after landslides triggered by heavy rains and swept away two vehicles carrying a total of 31 people in Nanping, Fujiang Province, June 14, 2010. Seven people have been rescued. [Xinhua]

At least 24 people are missing after flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains engulfed two vehicles in east China's Fujian Province Monday, a local official said.

Only seven people have been rescued from the muddy torrents after a bus and a mini-van were swept away at noon on a road in the rural mountainous areas in Yanping District, Nanping City, said Zhang Guowang, Party secretary of the district.

An initial investigation shows that the two vehicles were carrying 31 people when the accident occurred, Zhang said.

"But there were passengers getting on and off the bus before the flash floods and landslides hit and the two vehicles have not been found, so for now it is difficult for us to give an exact number of people missing," he said.

Rescuers were seen fighting torrential rains Monday afternoon to clear away the silt that blocked the road and search for those still missing.

Strong rainstorms have pounded Fujian since Sunday and more rain is forecast for Tuesday.