China landslide death toll climbs to 51, 10 missing

Rescue workers continue their search for survivors after a devastating landslide in Pengshui County, Chongqing, China, where the death toll has climbed to 51. Authorities reported on Thursday that 10 people remain missing following the disaster that occurred on July 17.

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Currently 51 people have been found and confirmed dead, and 10 people are still missing.

The landslide swept away several residential buildings situated at the base of a mountain and along a riverbank. Images from state media depicted a vast expanse of rocks and earth covering a street that housed both residences and businesses. Rescue personnel were immediately deployed to the site.

Officials stated that over 1,100 people were safely evacuated from the affected area. Ten individuals were rescued, with three requiring hospitalization for their injuries. The search and recovery operation, which commenced immediately after the disaster, involved more than 1,080 rescue personnel. They encountered significant obstacles, including enormous boulders, uneven terrain, confined spaces, and high temperatures. Divers and robots searched the adjacent river, while explosives were used to clear boulders and over 330,000 cubic meters of material was removed.

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In this disaster, a total of over 1,100 people were safely evacuated.

Last week, rescuers had indicated that there were no longer any signs of life in the debris. Efforts are now focused on supporting victims' families, providing assistance, and managing post-disaster arrangements, which authorities say are progressing in an orderly fashion. This incident follows another landslide in northwestern Gansu province less than two weeks prior, which resulted in 33 deaths and 21 missing.

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Efforts to support and comfort victims' families, provide assistance and relief, and handle resettlement and post-disaster arrangements are progressing in an orderly manner.