China landslide death toll climbs to 51 as search continues for 10 missing in Chongqing

China Landslide Death Toll Climbs to 51 as Search Continues for 10 Missing in Chongqing

Theindiapostdaily.com – The China landslide death toll climbs to 51 following a catastrophic event in Chongqing, a major city located in southwestern China. Emergency responders and rescue teams are continuing their efforts to locate 10 individuals who remain missing after the devastating slide. This tragedy has been described as the most severe landslide disaster to strike the nation in over ten years, drawing national attention and prompting a massive coordinated response.

Details of the Disaster

The incident occurred on July 17 in Pengshui County, where a massive collapse of rocks and earth crashed onto residential buildings situated along the banks of the Wujiang River. The powerful slide buried several homes and trapped numerous people beneath tons of debris. Local authorities had initiated the evacuation of approximately 1,100 residents after detecting warning signs of an impending landslide earlier in the day, though the disaster still caught many by surprise.

The force of the landslide destroyed more than 10 residential buildings and swept away a minibus, creating a complex scene for rescue workers. The sheer volume of material—nearly 18,000 cubic meters of debris—has been packed into a confined area, significantly complicating access for emergency personnel attempting to reach survivors and recover victims.

Rescue Operations Underway

Search and recovery operations remain active in the Wujiang River, where specialized teams have deployed divers and underwater robotic equipment to aid in locating those still unaccounted for. The challenging terrain and dense debris field have made the work particularly difficult, but rescue teams continue their efforts around the clock.

Among those affected by the disaster, a total of 10 people sustained injuries. Fortunately, three of the injured have already been discharged from hospital, while others continue to receive medical treatment. Officials have confirmed that all evacuated residents have been safely relocated from the danger zone, and efforts are currently focused on restoring normal traffic movement in the affected area over the coming days.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all possible efforts to locate the missing, assist survivors, and strengthen measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.

The China landslide death toll climbs to 51, making this event the deadliest landslide in the country since the twin landslides that struck Shaanxi province and Shenzhen in 2015. The incident underscores the growing threat posed by the summer rainy season in southwest China, where persistent rainfall frequently destabilizes mountain slopes and increases the risk of landslides and flash floods across vulnerable regions.