In a devastating incident, a landslide in China’s southwestern Yunnan province has led to a rising death toll, reaching 11 on Tuesday, with several dozen people still buried. Extreme cold wave conditions and freezing temperatures have added to the challenges faced by rescue workers, who have been tirelessly searching for survivors in the snow-covered terrain.
Rescue efforts are underway in Zhenxiong County, where over 1,000 workers, along with 45 rescue dogs and 120 vehicles, including excavators and loaders, are engaged in the search and rescue mission. The unstable soil has prevented the use of large machines for evacuation, making the operation extremely difficult.
Despite the hurdles, rescuers worked through the night, sifting through deep mounds of earth to locate those trapped. The landslide occurred in two villages in Zhaotong city, trapping at least 47 people from 18 households. Eight were found dead on Monday, and the search continues for the missing individuals.
The rescue team faces challenges due to the treacherous conditions, with two additional people hospitalized for injuries. President Xi Jinping has ordered an “all-out” rescue operation in the area, where sub-zero temperatures further complicate the mission. The government has allocated 50 million yuan (approximately USD 7 million) in disaster relief funds to support emergency efforts.
Video clips shared on social media depict rescuers navigating piles of rubble against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains. The cause of the landslide remains unclear, but the region’s remote and mountainous nature makes it prone to such disasters. A preliminary investigation suggests that the landslide was triggered by the collapse of a steep cliff-top area measuring almost 100 meters in width and 60 meters in height.
As the Ministry of Emergency Management elevates the emergency response level, the focus remains on the urgent and challenging task of rescuing those still trapped under the rubble in the midst of adverse weather conditions.
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