Authorities in northwest China's Shaanxi Province confirmed on Sunday that six holidaymakers died in a flash flood triggered by torrential rains on Saturday.

Among the two male and four female victims were a staff member of the public security bureau of Huxian County, in the provincial capital of Xi'an -- a man surnamed Song -- and his wife and teenage daughter, said a spokesman for Ningshan County Government.

The family of three, together with seven other relatives and friends drove south to Ningshan, administered by Ankang City, also in Shaanxi, Saturday.

Torrential rains hit Haogou Village, in Guanghuojie Township, Ningshan, at the southern foot of the Qinling Mountain Range, at around 5:00 PM on Saturday, causing a flash flood in a river that swept away the party of 10.

Rescuers saved four of the group and had recovered six bodies by early Sunday, said the spokesman.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2009)