A significant landslide in a large city in China has resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals, with 34 people still unaccounted for, leading to the evacuation of over one thousand residents.
The incident occurred on the outskirts of the southwestern Chinese metropolis of Chongqing, as reported by local officials and state media, happening around 9:08 a.m. in Pengshui County on the periphery of the Chongqing municipality.
Reports indicate that a substantial volume of rocks and soil cascaded downhill, engulfing more than 10 residential buildings. Ten individuals were rescued from the rubble, including two with severe injuries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an investigation into the cause of the calamity.
Wang Chuanjun, the head of Planning and Natural Resources in Pengshui County, disclosed during a press briefing that the devastating landslide contained approximately 18,000 cubic meters (636,000 cubic feet) of rocks and debris, with the largest single rock measuring around 3,000 cubic meters (106,000 cubic feet).
Wang also cautioned about the ongoing risk of additional collapses due to extreme weather conditions like heavy rainfall or prolonged periods of clear and hot weather.
To prevent further disruptions, water, electricity, and gas supplies were suspended within a one-kilometer (0.6-mile) radius of the landslide area. More than 800 rescuers were present at the scene, with drones deployed for surveying the affected sites.
CCTV images depicted a section of a mountainside collapsing onto a residential zone, with several buildings adjacent to the collapse site. Rescue teams meticulously searched through the debris for survivors.
Rescue operations faced challenges due to the unstable terrain and the looming threat of another landslide. Videos circulating on social media captured a team of rescuers extricating a survivor from the wreckage.
Large rock slabs had slid alongside buildings into a waterway below, causing damage to two buildings standing at approximately five and 15 stories tall.
The Chinese city is a massive urban marvel sprawling across 31,815 square miles, comparable in size to Austria. Home to an astonishing 32 million inhabitants, it showcases one of the most remarkable geographical landscapes globally. Chongqing’s architectural layout has been likened to a “city in three dimensions” due to its intricate, multi-tiered design.