In Chongqing, a landslide buried residential buildings; rescuers are conducting search and rescue operations
The ground, which always seemed like a reliable foundation, can suddenly give way, sweeping away homes and destinies. When tonnes of rock and soil cascade down a mountainside, time is measured not in minutes but in seconds. In such moments, every life saved is a victory over the elements, and every loss is a reminder of how fragile our world is in the face of nature. As rescuers sift through debris and authorities set up aid centres, the nation watches closely, hoping for the best.
On Friday, a landslide struck the Miao and Tujia autonomous county of Pengshui in Chongqing, southwest China. At 09:08 local time (01:08 GMT), a massive amount of rock and soil swept down the slope, burying more than 10 residential buildings and trapping residents under the rubble. As of 14:00, 10 people had been rescued. All survivors are in stable condition with non‑life‑threatening injuries. More than 1,100 residents living near the disaster site had been evacuated to safety, local authorities said. Water, electricity and gas supplies within a 1‑kilometre radius of the affected area have been temporarily suspended to allow for risk assessment and to prevent secondary hazards. Over 800 rescuers are carrying out search‑and‑rescue operations at the scene.
The National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Relief activated a Level‑4 emergency response and dispatched a working group to assess the situation and assist local authorities in meeting the basic needs of affected residents. The commission's office, together with the Ministry of Emergency Management and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, allocated 8,000 units of disaster relief supplies to Chongqing, including tents, camp beds and family emergency kits. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management allocated 50 million yuan (7.36 million US dollars) from the central state disaster relief fund to support rescue and recovery efforts and to provide assistance to affected residents. Priority areas for funding include search‑and‑rescue operations, hazard elimination and risk mitigation, inspections for secondary disaster threats, relocation and accommodation of displaced persons, and repair of damaged or collapsed housing, in order to minimise losses and casualties.
Pengshui County is located in a mountainous region of southwest China, where landslides and mudslides are common during the rainy season. Authorities responded swiftly to the emergency, mobilising emergency services, military personnel and local volunteers. As CCTV+ reports. Rescue operations are ongoing, with the main focus now on locating any possible survivors under the rubble, as well as providing temporary shelter and basic necessities for the displaced.
