Rescuers race to find survivors after landslide in southwest China's Chongqing

Rescue crews are urgently searching for survivors following a devastating landslide in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing. As of Saturday, July 18, the disaster had claimed at least eight lives, with 34 people still unaccounted for.

The landslide struck Pengshui County on Friday morning, sending enormous quantities of rock and soil down a slope. This deluge buried more than 10 residential buildings, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Ten individuals were successfully rescued and transported to the hospital, while over 1,100 residents have been evacuated from the affected area.

Images from the scene depict the scale of the destruction, with one fallen rock reportedly larger than a multi-story building. Debris is scattered across the steep terrain, and vehicles are partially buried. Officials estimate the landslide involved approximately 18,000 cubic meters of material, with the largest single rock estimated at 3,000 cubic meters.

Rescue operations face significant challenges due to persistent rain, which has saturated the ground and complicated efforts to stabilize the site. Heavy machinery is being used to clear rubble, and search dogs are assisting in locating survivors. Authorities have acknowledged the risks involved in searching beneath the massive boulders, with plans to use explosives to break them apart once surrounding areas are cleared. China's National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 30 million yuan (US$4.4 million) to aid in the restoration of infrastructure and public services impacted by the disaster.

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The landslide contained about 18,000 cubic metres of rocks and debris, and the largest single rock was around 3,000 cubic metres.