China landslide: More than 30 missing in Sichuan with 'all out rescue' launched
2025-02-08
Category: news

At least 30 people have been reported missing after a landslide in south-western China, according to Chinese state media.The landslide struck Jinping village in Sichuan province at 11:50 local time (03:50 GMT) burying 10 houses and trapping several residents. Two people were rescued.A command centre has been set up at the scene according to a statement by the county's emergency management bureau. China's President Xi Jinping has ordered an "all-out" rescue of those trapped.
Hundreds of emergency workers are searching for survivors, according to a statement from China's Ministry of Emergency Management.President Xi has ordered authorities to do "everything possible to search and rescue missing people, minimise casualties and properly handle the aftermath", according to the official Xinhua state news agency.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang asked for an investigation and inspection of potential geological hazard risks in nearby areas. Li also said residents who were under threat should be evacuated to prevent another disaster, the AP news agency reports, citing  Xinhua.Fifty million yuan ($6.9m; £5.5m) has been allocated from central government funds to repair infrastructure and public services, AP adds.
The remote, mountainous parts of China's south-west can be prone to landslides. In January 2024, a landslide in China's Yunnan province killed dozens of people when a steep cliff collapsed and destroyed part of a village. In January 2013, at least 18 people were killed in a landslide in the same region.