Massive landslide buries homes in southwest China, rescue race underway

Rescue teams are continuing an intensive search operation after a rain-triggered landslide struck Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, burying multiple residential buildings and leaving an undetermined number of people missing.

The landslide occurred at 9:08 a.m. local time on Friday in Hanjia Sub-district along the Wujiang River, sending massive volumes of rock and soil cascading down a mountainside and engulfing more than 10 homes, Xinhua reports.

According to local authorities, 10 people had been rescued as of 2:00 p.m. July 17. All are in stable condition and have no life-threatening injuries. More than 1,100 residents living near the disaster site have been evacuated as a precaution.

Authorities have temporarily suspended water, electricity, and gas supplies within a one-kilometre radius of the affected area to facilitate rescue efforts and reduce the risk of secondary disasters. More than 800 emergency personnel have been deployed to the scene.

Officials said the exact number of people still trapped beneath the debris is being verified.

China Anneng Construction Group, a state-owned engineering rescue force, has dispatched 110 specialist rescuers, including engineering and geological experts, along with 50 sets of search, detection, and rescue equipment to support the operation.

The landslide also buried three power poles, disrupting electricity supplies in the area. Local utility authorities have mobilized 53 maintenance workers, 12 repair vehicles, and an emergency power unit to assist in restoring essential services.

Chongqing's fire and rescue department has deployed more than 400 firefighters from eight rescue units, supported by communications and medical teams.

Upon arrival, rescue crews immediately launched aerial reconnaissance using drones to assess the disaster zone and guide operational planning.

"Upon arrival, rescue teams immediately used drones to conduct a comprehensive aerial survey of the landslide area to support command and decision-making," said Zhong Tao, an official with Chongqing's fire brigade.

Rescue efforts have been complicated by the enormous volume of debris, deeply buried buildings, and the landslide's proximity to the Wujiang River, which has limited access for heavy machinery.

Wan Ping, head of Chongqing's professional emergency rescue team, said responders have established two operational zones on the upper section of the landslide, deploying search dogs and life-detection equipment for surface searches while using excavators to reach deeper layers of debris.

"Preparations are also underway to install a floating bridge on the Wujiang River to allow excavators access to a third operational site, further improving rescue efficiency," Wan said.

Search-and-rescue operations remain underway as authorities continue working to locate those still unaccounted for.

By Vafa Guliyeva