Chinese authorities reported that a landslide in Chongqing city has resulted in 8 deaths and dozens missing, while President Xi Jinping has urged officials to conduct thorough search efforts to locate the missing.
On Saturday, 18 Jul 2026, local officials reported that a landslide in southwestern China on Friday (17 Jul) had caused at least 8 deaths and 34 people missing, with President Xi Jinping instructing a detailed search of the area to find those missing.
China's state broadcaster CCTV reported that the landslide occurred around 09:10 local time in Pengshui County, Chongqing, deploying over 800 rescue workers to the scene.
Ren Xuejiang, the local government leader, said at a press conference that 18 victims have been rescued so far, of whom 8 have been confirmed dead.
Footage released by CCTV showed massive rocks and earth collapsing onto parts of residential streets and commercial areas at the foothills in the region. Video clips captured people screaming in shock and fleeing from large dust clouds.
The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management stated that the government has allocated 50 million yuan in disaster relief funds to support search, rescue, and aid efforts for affected residents.
President Xi Jinping has urged officials to quickly determine the cause of the disaster and to "identify and eliminate geological disaster risks and other potential hazards."
This landslide occurred less than two weeks after another in Gansu Province in northwest China, which resulted in 21 fatalities.
.cna