BEIJING — Chinese rescuers are actively searching for approximately 30 individuals following a devastating landslide on Saturday in southwestern Sichuan province, which buried 10 houses and necessitated the evacuation of hundreds of residents.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has deployed hundreds of rescuers, including firefighters, to assist in the recovery efforts in a village located in Junlian county. According to state broadcaster CCTV, two people have been rescued alive, while around 200 others have been relocated to safety.
A local villager informed Beijing News that rocks have frequently been seen rolling down the mountain since the latter half of 2024, often producing sounds reminiscent of firecrackers. The villager also mentioned that geologists inspected the area late last year, as reported by the state-run newspaper.
President Xi Jinping has expressed his deep concern regarding the situation, urging authorities to make every effort to locate the missing individuals and minimize casualties. This was reported by the official Xinhua news agency.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for a thorough investigation and inspection of potential geological hazard risks in the surrounding areas. He emphasized the importance of evacuating residents who are at risk to prevent any further disasters, according to Xinhua.
In response to the crisis, the National Development and Reform Commission has allocated $6.9 million from the central budget to support the emergency restoration of vital infrastructure and public service facilities.
