In a heartbreaking incident, the death toll from a devastating landslide in China’s southwestern Yunnan province has climbed to 11, with rescue efforts underway amid freezing temperatures. Rescue workers, facing extreme cold and snowy conditions, worked tirelessly through the night in Zhenxiong County to locate and save dozens trapped beneath the rubble, according to Reuters.
Over 1,000 rescue workers, equipped with 45 rescue dogs and 120 vehicles, including excavators, loaders, and transport vehicles, are engaged in the search and rescue operation. The challenging terrain, compounded by unstable soil, has prevented the use of large machines for evacuation, making the process intricate and perilous.
The landslide struck two villages in Zhaotong city on Monday at 05:51 local time, trapping at least 47 people from 18 households. Eight individuals were found dead on Monday, as reported by Zhaotong Daily, a local state-owned media outlet. Witnesses described the horrifying scene as a mountain collapsed, burying dozens under the rubble.
More than 500 people were evacuated from their homes, and nearly 1,000 rescue workers were dispatched to the site. President Xi Jinping has ordered an “all-out” rescue effort in the area, which is currently experiencing sub-zero temperatures. The government has allocated 50 million yuan (approximately USD 7 million) in disaster relief funds to support rescue and emergency efforts.
The cause of the landslide remains unclear, but the remote and mountainous region is prone to such incidents. Preliminary investigations suggest that the landslide was triggered by the collapse of a steep cliff-top area, measuring almost 100 meters in width and 60 meters in height, according to an expert group.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has elevated the emergency response level to the second-highest tier, responding to the disaster promptly. Video clips shared on social media depict rescuers navigating piles of rubble against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by those involved in the rescue operation.
Sources By Agencies
