Landslide in Southwest China Claims 41 Lives; 30 More Bodies Found

Authorities in Chongqing's Pengshui County confirmed the grim discovery of 30 additional victims in the aftermath of a devastating landslide, raising the total death toll to 41. The disaster struck on July 17, engulfing several residential buildings situated at the base of a mountain and along a riverbank.

State media footage depicted a massive accumulation of rocks and earth that had cascaded onto a street, which housed both residential and commercial properties. Hundreds of rescue workers were mobilized to the site in a desperate search for survivors among the debris. Earlier, rescue teams had warned of diminishing hopes for finding any signs of life as they searched for 50 missing individuals.

Authorities had initially reported 11 fatalities. However, following "DNA testing and identification of bodies and remains found at the site, an additional total 30 victims have been confirmed," the county officials announced late Tuesday, revising the grim toll upwards. The tragedy in Pengshui County occurred just under two weeks after another landslide in the northwestern province of Gansu, which resulted in the deaths of 33 people.

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Following "DNA testing and identification of bodies and remains found at the site, an additional total 30 victims have been confirmed", authorities in the county said late Tuesday, raising the new toll to 41.