CHENGDU - Two tourists were killed and 15 others injured by a falling tree during a rare windstorm Saturday afternoon in Jiuzhaigou Valley, a World Heritage site in Southwest China's Sichuan province, local authorities said Sunday.

Sudden windstorms occurred around 4 pm, destroying trees, damaging wooden walkways and displacing rocks, according to Jiuzhaigou Valley scenic area administration.

"We have never seen such harsh weather before," said Yang Fuying, an official with the administration.

The injured are being treated at a local hospital.

Repair work on the damaged walkways has begun. The scenic area was open as usual Sunday and a health aid and safety inspection have been launched, according to the administration.