At least eight people have died and 34 others remain missing after a landslide struck Pengshui County in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality on Friday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.
According to local authorities, the landslide occurred at about 9:10 a.m. local time, with more than 800 emergency personnel deployed to search for survivors.
Pengshui County official Ren Xujiang said 18 people trapped by the landslide were rescued, but eight of them were later confirmed dead.
State broadcaster CCTV aired footage showing rocks and mud engulfing parts of a residential and commercial area at the foot of a mountain, while videos captured residents fleeing as clouds of dust swept through the area.
Officials said the mountainous region is known for its steep and unstable terrain, warning that loose rocks along the cliff continue to pose a threat to rescue operations.
In response to the disaster, the Chinese government approved 50 million yuan (about $7.36 million) in emergency relief funding to support search and rescue efforts and provide assistance to affected residents.
Chinese President Xi Jinping directed authorities to determine the cause of the landslide as quickly as possible and ordered comprehensive inspections to identify and eliminate geological hazards to prevent further disasters.
The latest tragedy comes less than two weeks after another landslide in Gansu Province buried 33 people, killing 21. Rescue efforts are continuing as authorities search for those still missing.
