China: Eight dead, 34 missing after mountain collapse hits Chongqing
Beijing, July 17
Eight people have been confirmed dead, and 34 others remain missing after a rainfall-induced mountain collapse occurred along a section of the Wujiang River in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Friday, local authorities said.
Ten people have been rescued, and search and rescue operations are underway, according to a press briefing held on Friday night, Xinhua news agency reported.
China activated a Level-II national emergency response for geological disasters after a landslide struck southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, causing houses to collapse and leaving people trapped, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on Friday.
The geological disaster saw massive amounts of rock and soil wash downslope at 9:08 a.m. on Friday, burying more than 10 residential buildings, while leaving some local residents trapped and unaccounted for. According to local authorities in Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County in Chongqing.
The National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief activated a Level-IV national disaster relief emergency response and sent a work team to assess the situation and assist local authorities in ensuring the basic living needs of affected residents.
The mountain collapse occurred at about 9:10 a.m. on Friday in Hanjia sub-district of Pengshui County, bringing down multiple residential buildings at the foot of the mountain.
Earlier in the day, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday urged efforts to carry out search and rescue operations in a scientific manner after the mountain collapse.
Xi stressed the need to prevent secondary disasters, provide proper medical treatment to the injured, and effectively handle the aftermath. Efforts should also be made to identify the cause of the disaster, draw lessons from it, and thoroughly screen for and eliminate geological disaster risks, he said.
Xi said that all regions and relevant departments should strengthen risk monitoring, early warning and inspections to safeguard people's lives and property.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Eight dead and 34 missing is a huge human toll. And Xi Jinping himself gave directions for the rescue operation – shows how seriously China takes these disasters. But I wonder about the construction regulations in hilly areas. In India too, we see unauthorised buildings on slopes that collapse during monsoons. Both countries need strict enforcement of building codes near vulnerable zones.
The article says China activated Level-II national emergency response. Good on them for quick action. But what about the people whose houses were buried under rock and soil? More than 10 residential buildings gone just like that. This is a wake-up call for all countries in monsoon zones – climate change is making such events more frequent. Hope the missing 34 are found safe.
I feel so sorry for the families waiting for news of their loved ones. The rescue teams working in such dangerous conditions deserve our salute. But one thing that concerns me – the authorities say they will "draw lessons" after the disaster. For the families, lessons come too late. China and India both need proactive risk mapping, not reactive responses. 🌧️
Terrible news. 10 rescued, 34 still missing – the numbers are stark. China has good disaster response infrastructure, but nature is unpredictable. I hope the international community can share expertise on early warning systems for landslides. In Western countries too, we have similar challenges. Thoughts and prayers for all affected. 🙏
Cannot imagine the horror of a mountain suddenly collapsing on your home. Geology is a cruel master. The Chinese response seems efficient – emergency relief, President's directive, scientific rescue.
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