2 killed, 500 Evacuated In China Landslide, Rescue Ops On In Yunnan

At least 47 people were buried on Monday in an early morning landslide that struck southwest China's Yunnan province. 

More than 200 rescuers along with 33 firefighting vehicles and 10 loading machines were mobilised to search for the missing.

Source : Xinhua Video

At least two people were killed on Monday after a landslide struck southwest China's mountainous Yunnan province. 

40 others are still missing as more than 500 residents have been evacuated from the landslide-hit areas as the provincial commission for disaster reduction activated a Level-III emergency response for disaster relief, state-run CCTV reported.

 The early morning landslide that struck southwest China's Yunnan province, left atleast 47 burried.

According to reports, more than 200 rescuers along with 33 firefighting vehicles and 10 loading machines were mobilised to search for the missing. Local state newspaper Yunnan Daily is reporting that Wang Yubo, head of the provincial administration, has led a working group to the scene.

An unknown number of villagers were buried in a landslide in China's Yunnan early Monday. Search and rescue for the missing is underway. #China pic.twitter.com/QkrTkKwViY

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) January 22, 2024

The disaster occurred in the Liangshui village of Zhaotong city at 5:51 am Beijing time, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

However, there are no immediate reports of deaths or injuries. The cause of the landslide was not known immediately according to a PTI report.

According to reports, 18 houses were buried due to the landslide. A few of those houses were on the mountainside, while others were located at the foothills.

A total of 47 people were buried in a landslide that struck China's Yunnan on Monday. More than 200 rescuers together with 33 firefighting vehicles and 10 loading machines were mobilized to search for the missing. #landslide pic.twitter.com/yTf6yoK3a2

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) January 22, 2024

The village had also experienced heavy snowfall on Sunday night and on Monday as well. 

According to report, the Chinese President Xi Jingpin who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on party cadres to watch out for other natural disaster risks and hidden dangers “to effectively ensure the safety of people’s lives and property” as a result of the wave of cold weather that swept across southern China just three weeks before the Lunar New Year.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang ordered an all-out rescue effort in Liangshui and emphasised the need to maintain social stability, in light of the area’s high altitude and ethnic diversity, the report said.