In brief
Rescue efforts are underway in Jinping village following a significant landslide that buried homes and trapped residents. Chinese officials are prioritizing the recovery of those missing, while highlighting a need for geological hazard assessments in vulnerable areas.
A landslide in Jinping village, Sichuan province, China, has led to one fatality and 28 people reported missing, according to state media. The disaster struck at around 11:50 AM local time on Saturday, burying 10 homes and prompting an urgent response from emergency services. As of now, two individuals have been successfully rescued from the debris.A command center has been established on-site, and President Xi Jinping has directed an "all-out" rescue effort for those still trapped. Dramatic images released by state media depict significant mud and rock collapses from a mountainside, obliterating parts of the village. Hundreds of rescue workers are actively searching for survivors, while approximately 200 residents have been evacuated from the area.President Xi emphasized the necessity of exhaustive searches to locate missing individuals and minimize casualties, as cited by the Xinhua state news agency. Similarly, Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for an assessment of geological risks in the region amidst concerns over past landslide incidents.Local accounts note that large rocks had been observed tumbling down the mountainside sporadically over the last six months, prompting worries about further landslide threats. In response, Premier Li has advised the evacuation of individuals living in high-risk zones to avert additional disasters. The central government has allocated about 50 million yuan (around $6.9 million) for the restoration of infrastructure and public services affected by the landslide.Historically, the remote mountainous regions of southwestern China have been susceptible to landslides. Similar incidents in the past have taken a heavy toll on local communities, underscoring the need for comprehensive risk assessments and proactive measures to protect residents.
