Two people died and 26 others have been reported missing after a mudslide hit Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Tuesday morning, the local government said.

The mudslide occurred at an iron ore mine in the township of Araltobe, Xinyuan County, Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili, said a spokesman with the prefecture's fire brigade, adding that the brigade received an emergency call at around 1 am.

The mud and debris buried 28 people, initially identified as 22 mine workers and six local residents, said the spokesman.

The bodies of two victims have been recovered from the debris, which covers an area about 500 meters long, 60 meters wide and five to six meters deep, he said.

More than 50 rescuers are searching for the missing people.