Chongqing Landslide: At Least 10 Rescued, 34 Missing
The disaster occurred around 9:08 a.m. local time in Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County, near the Wujiang River, as heavy rain and unstable terrain triggered the collapse. Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency crews and disaster relief materials deployed to the affected area.
Impact and Initial Response
The landslide, which occurred after 9 a.m., engulfed a residential area along the Wujiang River, burying more than 10 buildings under mud, rocks, and debris. Local media reported that over 60 residents were evacuated safely before the disaster, while others were trapped. State broadcaster CCTV confirmed that at least 10 people were rescued from the rubble, though the exact number of missing remains unconfirmed in some reports. Authorities have suspended water, electricity, and gas supplies within a 1-kilometer radius of the site to prevent further risks. Emergency response efforts include 100 personnel from China’s Ministry of Emergency Management and 200 fire rescue workers, according to state media. Over 8,000 disaster-relief items, including tents, folding beds, and emergency kits, have been sent to the area. However, rescue teams face challenges due to unstable terrain and the risk of additional landslides, as noted by CCTV.
Witness Accounts Describe Chaos
Residents described the scene as intense and fierce.
Mr. Xie, an auto repair shop owner in the area, recounted seeing boulders fall from a mountainside around 8:30 a.m. I saw cars and some people standing there [when the landslide happened]. They are all buried now,
he told ABC News. Another witness, Mr. Dou, reported damaged or collapsed houses and a nearby gas station’s potential for explosion, prompting his evacuation. It’s terrifying and the area is huge—none of us knew what to do,
he said.
Footage from the scene, shared by state media, showed massive rocks covering a roadway and collapsed buildings. A transformer near the riverbank was also reported to be damaged, with high-voltage lines down. The area, known for its mountainous terrain and riverbank communities, had experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms in the days leading up to the disaster.
Context and Previous Disasters
Pengshui County, a mountainous region bordering Hubei and Guizhou provinces, has a history of landslides. In May, a separate landslide in Chongqing’s Yongchuan district left nine people dead and 11 missing. The current disaster has raised concerns about the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather. Local authorities have urged residents in high-risk areas to evacuate, with temporary shelters set up for displaced families.
Unconfirmed Casualty Numbers
While some sources cite at least 18 people rescued and 34 missing, others mention no indication yet of how many are missing or dead.
A government statement noted that local authorities promptly organised the safe evacuation of more than 60 residents,
but the exact toll remains unclear. Officials have not yet confirmed fatalities, though the scale of the destruction suggests significant loss of life. The search for survivors continues as rescue teams work through the debris.
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