Rescuers on Saturday were searching for survivors in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing, where a landslide killed at least eight people and left 34 missing. The disaster struck Pengshui County on Friday morning, burying more than 10 residential buildings under a massive flow of rocks and soil.
Ten individuals were rescued and transported to a hospital, while over 1,100 people have been evacuated from the area. The landslide involved approximately 18,000 cubic meters of debris, with the largest single rock estimated at 3,000 cubic meters, according to local authorities. Images from the scene show large rocks, one larger than a multistory building, scattered across steep terrain, with some buildings partially or fully crushed.
Persistent rain in Pengshui County from Friday night into Saturday morning, with nearly 8 inches recorded at a local weather station, contributed to the unstable conditions and complicated rescue efforts. As the rain eased slightly, search teams began inspecting collapsed buildings and riverbank areas.
Rescue operations are underway on one side of the massive rock formations, with teams planning to assess and potentially break apart boulders that could pose further risks. This will involve drilling into the rocks and using explosives. The area affected is near the Wujiang River, situated in a region of karst mountains in southeastern Chongqing.
In response to the disaster, China's National Development and Reform Commission allocated a relief fund of 30 million yuan (approximately $4.4 million) on Saturday to aid in the restoration of infrastructure and public services.