CHONGQING (China), July 19: Emergency response teams continued an intensive search operation on Sunday after a devastating landslide in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality claimed at least eight lives and left 34 people unaccounted for. Heavy excavators, rescue personnel, sniffer dogs, and technical experts remained deployed at the disaster site as authorities raced against time to locate anyone still trapped beneath enormous piles of rock and mud.
The landslide struck Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County in the early hours of Friday after days of rainfall destabilized the hillside. The collapse sent a massive torrent of earth, stones, and debris crashing onto a residential area, burying more than ten homes and causing widespread destruction.
Rescue Teams Continue Search
Rescue operations entered another critical phase on Sunday as emergency workers carefully removed debris while trying to avoid triggering additional landslides. Heavy machinery was used to clear the rubble in stages, allowing search teams to inspect every section of the collapsed area.
Eyewitnesses at the scene observed rescuers carrying a sealed orange recovery bag away from the disaster zone on Sunday morning, although officials did not immediately confirm whether another victim had been recovered.
Authorities have stressed that every rescue effort is being conducted cautiously due to the unstable terrain. Engineers are continuously assessing ground movement before allowing excavation work to proceed, reducing the risk of further collapses that could endanger both survivors and emergency responders.
Death Toll Rises While Survivors Receive Treatment
Officials confirmed that eight individuals rescued from beneath the debris were found without signs of life. Meanwhile, ten people were successfully pulled from the affected area during the operation.
One survivor has already been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for minor injuries, while the remaining nine continue to recover under medical supervision. Authorities stated that all hospitalized survivors remain in stable condition.
Medical teams have been stationed near the disaster site to provide immediate emergency care should additional survivors be located.
More Than 1,100 Residents Evacuated
As concerns over further slope instability persisted, local authorities expanded precautionary evacuations across nearby communities.
According to Chongqing officials, everyone living in 21 residential buildings located within the identified danger zone has been safely relocated. The evacuation covered structures situated on unstable hillsides as well as low-lying areas within approximately one kilometre of the landslide.
Overall, more than 1,100 residents have been moved to temporary shelters where food, accommodation, healthcare, and other essential services are being provided.
Officials said the evacuations were ordered after geological experts warned that continuing rainfall and unstable soil conditions could trigger additional slope failures.
Search for Signs of Life Continues
Rescue officials reported encouraging developments on Saturday when specially trained search dogs and advanced life-detection equipment identified indications that at least one individual might still be alive beneath the collapsed earth.
However, emergency commanders explained that reaching trapped victims remains extremely challenging because of the enormous weight of the debris.
Rather than conducting rapid excavation, rescue specialists are carefully mapping the underground conditions before removing rocks and soil piece by piece. Authorities warned that aggressive digging could destabilize giant boulders and create another deadly collapse.
Specialized rescue personnel continue to use ground-penetrating detection devices, thermal imaging technology, and acoustic sensors in hopes of locating additional survivors.
Massive Volume of Debris Hampers Operations
Experts described the landslide as one of considerable scale.
Officials estimated that approximately 18,000 cubic metres of rocks, mud, and debris came crashing down the mountainside. Among the collapsed material was a giant boulder measuring nearly 3,000 cubic metres, presenting one of the biggest obstacles to rescue efforts.
The enormous rock formations have significantly slowed excavation work because each section must be stabilized before removal.
Geological specialists remain on site to monitor any changes in the landscape while directing heavy equipment operators on the safest excavation routes.
More Than 120 Experts Join Rescue Mission
China has mobilized substantial resources for the emergency response.
Over 120 geological, engineering, emergency management, and disaster-response specialists have been dispatched to Pengshui County to assist local rescue teams.
Their responsibilities include evaluating slope stability, identifying safe rescue corridors, monitoring weather conditions, and advising excavation crews on minimizing risks during operations.
Multiple government agencies are coordinating rescue logistics, medical support, transportation, and public safety throughout the affected region.
Heavy Rain Believed to Have Triggered Disaster
Preliminary investigations indicate that continuous rainfall likely weakened the mountain slope before the collapse.
The landslide occurred near the Wujiang River, an area characterized by steep karst mountains, deep valleys, and scattered rural settlements. Such terrain is naturally susceptible to landslides, particularly during periods of intense or prolonged rainfall.
Experts noted that saturated soil, combined with the region’s complex geological structure, likely contributed to the sudden collapse.
Authorities continue monitoring surrounding hillsides for signs of further movement as weather conditions remain under close observation.
Pengshui County’s Mountainous Landscape
Pengshui County lies in southeastern Chongqing Municipality near the borders of Hubei and Guizhou provinces. The mountainous region is known for its rugged topography, winding river valleys, and numerous small villages built along steep slopes.
Although the area offers spectacular natural scenery, its geography also makes it vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season.
Local authorities have increased geological monitoring in nearby communities to identify additional hazards and ensure public safety.
Rescue Efforts Continue Around the Clock
As hopes remain that more survivors may still be found, emergency teams are maintaining continuous operations despite difficult conditions.
Authorities have pledged to use every available resource to locate those still missing while ensuring the safety of rescue workers operating in the unstable disaster zone.
The search remains ongoing as families anxiously await news of their loved ones, with rescue crews continuing to battle dangerous terrain, shifting debris, and challenging weather in one of southwest China’s most serious natural disasters this year.