By G.scaringi - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
China has initiated a search operation for over 30 individuals following a landslide that occurred in the southwestern province of Sichuan.
The landslide struck Jinping village in Yibin city on Saturday at approximately 11:50 AM local time (03:50 GMT), as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. Officials have indicated that many individuals are unaccounted for, and the situation continues to pose significant risks.
“Ten houses had been buried, more than 30 people were missing, and about 200 people were evacuated and relocated,” CCTV said.
The landslide was “still ongoing”, the broadcaster warned, quoting on-site rescuers. Residents, hundreds of whom have been evacuated, were ordered to stay away from the area.
President Xi Jinping expressed his concern and urged authorities to make every effort to search for the missing and minimise casualties, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
The Ministry of Emergency Management said two people had been rescued, while 200 were relocated. Emergency response teams were on site searching for survivors, it added.
Premier Li Qiang asked for an investigation and inspection of potential geological hazard risks in nearby areas.
Additional residents who may be in danger have been urged to evacuate in order to avert another catastrophe.
A local resident informed the state-operated Beijing News that there had been numerous instances of rocks tumbling down the mountain in recent months, and that geologists conducted an examination of the region late last year. According to Xinhua, the National Development and Reform Commission has designated 50 million yuan ($6.9 million) from the central budget to assist in the urgent restoration of infrastructure and public service facilities.
