China landslide death toll rises to 41 in Chongqing

A devastating landslide in Chongqing's Pengshui County has claimed 41 lives, according to authorities. The disaster struck on July 17, sweeping away several residential buildings at the foot of a mountain and along a riverbank. State media footage showed a massive pile of rocks and earth that had collapsed onto a residential and commercial street, with hundreds of rescue workers deployed to the scene.

Initially, rescuers reported no signs of life as they searched for 50 missing people in the rubble. On Friday, authorities reported a death toll of 11. However, following DNA testing and identification of bodies and remains found at the site, an additional 30 victims were confirmed late Tuesday, raising the total to 41.

This landslide occurred less than two weeks after another landslide in northwestern Gansu province buried 33 people, leaving 21 dead. The report by Mehr News Agency (MNA) cited AFP as the source for the initial information.