Emergency crews are searching for around 30 people after a massive landslide struck a village in southwestern China’s Sichuan province on Saturday, burying 10 houses and forcing hundreds to evacuate.
The Ministry of Emergency Management deployed hundreds of rescuers, including firefighters, to Junlian County, where the landslide occurred. State broadcaster CCTV reported that two people were pulled from the debris alive, while approximately 200 residents were safely relocated.
Local villagers had observed warning signs before the disaster. A resident told Beijing News that rocks had frequently tumbled down the mountain since mid-2024, sometimes producing sounds similar to firecrackers. Geologists had inspected the area late last year, according to the state-run newspaper.
President Xi Jinping expressed deep concern over the incident and called for an all-out effort to locate the missing and minimize casualties, Xinhua news agency reported.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged authorities to investigate geological risks in surrounding areas and evacuate residents in potential danger zones to prevent further tragedy.
The National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 50 million yuan ($6.9 million) from the central budget to support emergency infrastructure repairs and restore public services in the affected region.
With rescue operations ongoing, authorities are working against the clock to find survivors and prevent further devastation in the landslide-stricken village.
