8 killed in landslide in Chongqing, China

A landslide struck Pengshui County on the outer edge of Chongqing municipality at around 9:08 a.m., sending massive amounts of rocks and soil downslope and burying more than 10 residential buildings, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Ten people were rescued from the debris, including two who were seriously injured, said Pengshui County Mayor Ren Xujiang. Chinese President Xi Jinping asked authorities to determine the cause of the disaster, state media reported.

The landslide contained about 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), said Wang Chuanjun, head of Planning and Natural Resources in Pengshui County, at a news conference. Wang warned of persistent risk of further collapse under extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall or prolonged clear and hot weather, based on experts’ field inspections that found scattered unstable rock masses remain at the top and along the sides of the steep cliff.

Water, electricity and gas supplies were cut off within a 1-kilometer (0.6-mile) radius of the landslide to prevent further disruptions. Over 800 rescuers worked on site, a local government statement said. Xinhua reported that drones were used to conduct surveys of the landslide sites. Residents said local officials and communities organized an evacuation after small rocks fell and unusual sounds were heard from the hills. The landslide happened during the evacuation, according to the Chongqing Daily.

According to Mehr News, the incident highlights the dangers of landslides in mountainous regions, especially during extreme weather. Authorities continue to monitor the area for further risks.