Southwest China landslide death toll rises to 51 as search and rescue continues

The death toll from a devastating landslide in Chongqing province, southwest China, has climbed to 51, as authorities continue the search for 10 individuals still unaccounted for. The disaster struck Pengshui county two weeks ago, burying residential and commercial areas under a massive deluge of rocks and mud.

Local authorities confirmed the grim toll late Thursday night, according to state-run news agency Xinhua. The landslide, which occurred on July 17, swept away several buildings situated at the foot of a mountain along a riverbank. Drone footage captured the scale of the destruction, showing rescuers navigating a vast expanse of debris that covered several hundred meters of a street.

Despite initial warnings last week that signs of life in the affected area had diminished, a significant search and recovery operation persists. More than 1,080 rescuers, supported by 2,300 sets of equipment, are engaged in the effort. Officials reported that 10 people have been rescued to date, and over 1,100 residents were safely evacuated from the vicinity of the disaster zone.