A devastating landslide in Zhenxiong county, Yunnan province, China, has claimed the lives of 31 people, state media reported on Tuesday.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors buried under the debris, facing a desperate race against time as temperatures plummet below zero.
The pre-dawn disaster, which struck early Monday morning, engulfed 18 homes and forced the evacuation of over 200 residents. Nearly 36 hours later, the confirmed death toll has risen to 31, according to Xinhua news agency.
An earlier report by CCTV state broadcaster placed the missing count at 24, with the total fatalities at 20.
“Search and rescue efforts persisted through the night,” firefighter Li Shenglong told Xinhua, highlighting the urgency of the operation.
Authorities attributed the landslide to a collapse in the steep cliff area above the village, according to Wu Junyao, director of the natural resources bureau in Zhaotong.
Over 200 rescue workers, supported by dozens of fire engines and specialized equipment, are battling challenging conditions at the scene. Thick snow blankets the area, forcing rescuers to employ “all kinds of tools” in their search for survivors, Xinhua reported.
The scale of the devastation is immense, with Wu describing the debris field as “100 meters wide, 60 meters high, and averaging 6 meters thick.”
CCTV footage painted a grim picture of the rescue efforts, showcasing rescuers working throughout the night, sifting through mangled metal and concrete structures in hope of finding survivors.
Other footage depicted locals huddled for warmth around a makeshift fire in a shelter, sharing meager rations of instant noodles.
Community spirit has blossomed in the wake of the tragedy, with volunteers from surrounding areas playing a crucial role in relief efforts.
“Our main focus is on distributing supplies, cooking, and delivering food to those in need,” said Hong Jie, a 38-year-old resident of a nearby village, speaking to Xinhua.
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on locating survivors and providing support to the displaced and bereaved families.
The landslide serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities residing in mountainous regions, highlighting the need for robust disaster preparedness and mitigation measures.
