A significant landslide in a bustling Chinese metropolis has resulted in eight fatalities, with 34 individuals still unaccounted for, prompting the evacuation of over a thousand residents.
The incident occurred on the fringes of the southwest Chinese city of Chongqing, as reported by local authorities and state media, happening at approximately 9:08 a.m. in Pengshui County on the outskirts of the Chongqing municipality.
Reports indicate that a substantial amount of rocks and soil cascaded downhill, engulfing over 10 residential structures. Ten individuals were rescued from the debris, with two sustaining severe injuries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed officials to investigate the cause of the calamity.
Wang Chuanjun, the head of Planning and Natural Resources in Pengshui County, disclosed that the devastating landslide involved about 18,000 cubic meters (636,000 cubic feet) of rocks and debris, with the largest rock measuring around 3,000 cubic meters (106,000 cubic feet).
Wang also cautioned about the ongoing risk of additional collapses under extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall or prolonged periods of clear and hot weather.
To prevent further disruptions, water, electricity, and gas supplies were severed within a one-kilometer (0.6-mile) radius of the landslide area. More than 800 rescuers were deployed on the scene, with drones utilized for surveying the affected sites.
CCTV images captured a portion of a mountainside collapsing onto a residential zone, with several edifices situated adjacent to the collapse site. Rescue teams diligently searched through the rubble.
Rescue operations faced challenges due to the unstable terrain and the looming threat of another landslide. Social media footage depicted a team of rescuers extracting a survivor from the debris.
Large rock slabs had shifted alongside buildings into a watercourse below. Although two structures, approximately five and 15 stories high, sustained damage, they remained upright.
The Chinese settlement is a massive urban expanse spanning 31,815 square miles – an area equivalent to the size of Austria.
Home to an astounding 32 million inhabitants, it showcases one of the most captivating natural wonders globally. Chongqing’s architectural design has been likened to a “city in three dimensions” due to its intricate, multi-tiered layout.
