Six firefighters were killed today while battling a forest fire in south China's Guangdong province.
The fire broke out at midday in a mountain forest near two villages in Meixian district, Meizhou City, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
More than 210 forestry personnel and villagers rushed to the scene to contain the fire, which was brought under control at 2:30 pm.
An hour later, mountain winds in the area suddenly changed direction and the fire spread rapidly again, trapping eight firefighters.
Two survivors have been taken to hospital.
