Landslide in Chongqing buries buildings, rescues underway
A section of hillside collapsed in China's Pengshui County, near the city of Chongqing, on Friday morning, burying several residential buildings and trapping an undetermined number of people. The landslide occurred near the Wujiang River, which cuts through karst mountains, according to reports from state broadcaster CCTV, as cited by Deutsche Welle.
ABC Australia also reported a large landslide in the area, describing massive boulders over a buried roadway and collapsed houses. Both outlets reported that rescue efforts were ongoing, with crews combing through rocks and debris.
Coverage comparison
Reports differ on the number of people rescued from the debris. ABC Australia reported that eight people had been rescued and that none were in life-threatening condition. Deutsche Welle's first report, citing the official Xinhua news agency, said at least nine people had been rescued uninjured. A subsequent Deutsche Welle report, citing CCTV, put the number at at least 10 people rescued uninjured.
The exact number of people trapped remains unknown, with both outlets reporting that an undetermined number of people were affected.
Deutsche Welle reported that an emergency warning had been issued before the landslide, after a community worker noticed scattered falling rocks around 8 a.m. local time. Authorities had ordered more than 60 residents to evacuate, but the landslide struck at 9 a.m., before the evacuation could be fully completed. ABC Australia's report did not mention the pre-landslide warning.
ABC Australia reported that state media said the Ministry of Emergency Management had deployed 100 people to help with the search and rescue effort, and an additional 200 fire rescue crew members were being deployed. Deutsche Welle, citing a statement from the Ministry of Emergency Management, said 100 rescue workers were deployed, along with dozens of vehicles. Deutsche Welle also reported that 1,110 residents had been evacuated from the area, a figure not mentioned by ABC Australia.
Both outlets attributed the landslide to rain. Deutsche Welle noted the location near the Wujiang River, where small towns and terraces are built along the riverside.
Key claims
- A section of hillside collapsed in Pengshui County, near Chongqing, on Friday morning, burying several residential buildings and trapping an undetermined number of people, as reported by both ABC Australia and Deutsche Welle.
- Rescue efforts are ongoing. ABC Australia reported eight people rescued, with none in life-threatening condition; Deutsche Welle reported at least nine or at least 10 people rescued uninjured, citing different official sources.
- An emergency warning had been issued before the landslide, after a community worker noticed scattered falling rocks around 8 a.m., with an evacuation order for more than 60 residents, but the landslide struck before evacuation was complete, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
- 1,110 residents have been evacuated from the area, according to a single report by Deutsche Welle.
- 100 rescue workers were deployed to the scene, along with dozens of vehicles, as reported by both outlets. ABC Australia also reported an additional 200 fire rescue crew members being deployed.
- The landslide was triggered by rain and occurred near a section of the Wujiang River, as reported by both outlets.
- A witness, Mr. Xie, told ABC News he saw boulders falling about 8:30 a.m., and said, "I saw cars and some people were standing there [when the landslide happened]. They are all buried now. Many houses have collapsed." He described the situation as "intense and fierce" and said everything was "covered in dust, buried underground."
- Another witness, Mr. Dou, told ABC News he saw at least two rows of houses damaged or buried and fled over concerns a nearby gas station might explode. He said, "It's terrifying and the area is huge — none of us knew what to do. I saw a transformer near the riverbank, with the high-voltage lines already down. I jumped out and ran because it wasn't far from the gas station and I was worried it would cause the gas station to explode."