A massive landslide in a bustling Chinese metropolis has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least eight individuals, with 34 individuals still unaccounted for. More than a thousand residents have been compelled to evacuate the area.
The landslide occurred on the fringes of Chongqing, a city in southwestern China, as reported by local authorities and state media. The incident took place around 9:08 a.m. in Pengshui County, situated on the outskirts of the Chongqing municipality.
Reports indicate that a substantial volume of rocks and soil cascaded downslope, engulfing over 10 residential structures. Ten people were successfully rescued from the debris, including two who sustained severe injuries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged officials to ascertain the cause of the calamity. Wang Chuanjun, the head of Planning and Natural Resources in Pengshui County, disclosed during a press briefing that the devastating landslide contained approximately 18,000 cubic meters (636,000 cubic feet) of rocks and debris, with the largest single rock measuring around 3,000 cubic meters (106,000 cubic feet).
Wang also cautioned about the ongoing risk of additional collapses due to extreme weather conditions like heavy rainfall or prolonged periods of clear, hot weather. To prevent further disruptions, utilities such as water, electricity, and gas within a one-kilometer (0.6-mile) radius of the landslide were disconnected. A statement from local authorities mentioned that over 800 rescuers were deployed at the site, utilizing drones for surveying the affected areas.
Footage captured by CCTV depicted a section of a mountainside collapsing onto a residential zone, with rescue teams searching through the rubble near adjacent buildings. Rescue operations faced challenges due to the unstable terrain and the looming threat of another landslide, as shown in social media videos where a survivor was rescued from the debris.
Significant rock masses slid alongside buildings into a watercourse below, causing damage to two buildings with heights estimated at approximately five and 15 stories, although they remained standing.
Chongqing, the Chinese urban settlement in question, sprawls over an extensive area of 31,815 square miles, equivalent to the size of Austria. Home to an impressive 32 million inhabitants, the city is renowned for its unique geographical features. Its architecture has been likened to a “city in three dimensions” due to its intricate, multi-tiered layout.
