A flash flood in Inner Mongolia killed eight people and left four others missing, Chinese state media reported on Sunday.
According to Xinhua news agency, 13 people were camping outdoors in Urat Rear Banner when the flood struck at around 10pm (1400 GMT) on Saturday.
Rescuers saved one person, while search operations for the missing continue.
The Ministry of Emergency Management ordered full-scale rescue efforts, verification of the missing persons’ status, and dispatched a working group to the scene, state broadcaster CCTV confirmed.
Natural disasters occur frequently in China, particularly during the summer when regions face heavy rainfall or extreme heat.
Earlier this month, flash floods and mudslides in northwest China killed at least 13 people, while heavy rainfall in Beijing last month claimed 44 lives. A landslide in neighbouring Hebei province killed a further eight.
Scientists warn that human-induced climate change is intensifying extreme weather patterns, increasing the likelihood of destructive flooding.