A devastating landslide in south-western China’s Sichuan province has left at least 30 people missing after a massive mud and rock collapse buried homes and trapped residents on January 3rd, according to Chinese state media. The incident occurred at 11:50 local time when the steep mountainside gave way, cutting through Jinping village.
Rescue efforts are underway with hundreds of emergency workers searching for survivors, while 200 people have been evacuated from the scene. China’s President Xi Jinping has ordered an “all-out” rescue operation to locate those trapped and minimize casualties.
The incident comes amid concerns over potential geological hazard risks in nearby areas, prompting Premier Li Qiang to request an investigation into the matter. Villagers had reported seeing large rocks rolling down the mountain for months before the landslide, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to such disasters.
In recent years, China has experienced several devastating landslides, including one in January 2024 that killed dozens of people in Yunnan province and another 11 years ago that claimed at least 18 lives. The remote, mountainous areas of south-west China are prone to such incidents, emphasizing the need for increased safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czep9d9p8kzo