Landslide in China's Sichuan province leaves one dead, 28 missing

A landslide in southwest China's Sichuan Province has resulted in one confirmed death, with 28 people still missing and two others injured, local authorities reported.

The disaster struck at 11:50 a.m. on February 8 in Jinping Village, located in Junlian County, Yibin City. In response, the province has mobilized 949 personnel, including armed police, firefighters, emergency responders, and medical teams, to aid in rescue operations, Caliber.Az reports via Chinese media.

Over 200 rescue vehicles and pieces of heavy machinery, including excavators, fire engines, and ambulances, have been deployed on-site. The search and rescue operation is being conducted across 10 grid zones.

Authorities have evacuated 360 people from 95 households, with 162 individuals currently resettled in temporary shelters.

President Xi orders "all-out" rescue effort

Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed emergency teams to make every effort to rescue those trapped. He instructed officials to “do everything possible to search and rescue missing people, minimise casualties, and properly handle the aftermath,” according to state news agency Xinhua. Premier Li Qiang has also called for an investigation into potential geological risks in surrounding areas and has urged the evacuation of residents facing imminent danger.

Images from state media show a massive collapse of mud and rock from a steep mountainside, cutting through parts of the village. Hundreds of emergency workers continue to scour the debris for survivors.

According to local reports, villagers had observed large rocks rolling down the mountain over the past six months, raising concerns about potential geological instability.

To support recovery efforts, the central government has allocated 50 million yuan ($6.9 million; £5.5 million) to repair infrastructure and public services in the affected area.

Region prone to landslides

Southwest China’s mountainous terrain is highly susceptible to landslides, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall or seismic activity. In January 2024, a similar landslide in Yunnan Province claimed dozens of lives when a steep cliff collapsed, devastating part of a village. Eleven years earlier, a landslide in the same region left at least 18 people dead.

Rescue efforts in Sichuan continue as authorities race against time to locate the missing and mitigate further risks.

By Vugar Khalilov