This image, distributed by Xinhua News Agency, captures rescue workers conducting a search at the location of a landslide in Liangshui village, Tangfang Town, situated in the city of Zhaotong in southwestern China's Yunnan Province on Monday, January 22, 2024. The landslide that occurred early Monday in the mountainous region of Yunnan buried numerous people and led to the evacuation of hundreds. (Xinhua via AP)
Tragedy struck the village of Liangshui in Yunnan province, southwestern China, early Monday morning when a landslide buried 47 people amid freezing weather conditions. As of 10 p.m., 11 casualties were confirmed, and rescue efforts were underway. The disaster unfolded due to the collapse of a steep cliff-top area, creating a mass roughly 100 meters wide, 60 meters high, and 6 meters thick. The rescue operation faced challenges from snow, icy roads, and persistent freezing temperatures expected to last three days.
Survivor Luo Dongmei, 35, recounted being awakened by her brother, and narrowly escaping the landslide. She and her husband and three children were relocated to a school but awaited blankets and protection from the cold. Concerns lingered for those still missing, including Luo's sister and aunt residing closer to the disaster site. Zhengxiong County, where the incident occurred, is located 2,250 kilometres southwest of Beijing, with elevations reaching 2,400 meters.
China has been grappling with heavy snowfall, causing disruptions and endangering lives. In a recent incident, rescuers evacuated over 1,000 people trapped for a week in a remote skiing area in northwestern China due to avalanches triggered by heavy snow. Landslides, often tied to rain or unsafe construction, are not uncommon in China, claiming numerous lives annually. Last year alone, landslides, floods, and other natural disasters resulted in 691 deaths and missing individuals, causing economic losses totalling around 345 billion yuan ($48 billion).
The Ministry of Emergency Management, led by Minister Wang Xiangxi, dispatched a team to guide rescue operations, emphasizing the severity of the situation. This landslide adds to the recent natural disasters China has faced, including a powerful earthquake in December that claimed 149 lives, injured nearly 1,000 people, and destroyed over 14,000 homes in Gansu and Qinghai provinces.
In summary, a devastating landslide in Yunnan province, southwestern China, claimed at least 11 lives, with rescue efforts ongoing amid challenging weather conditions. The incident underscores the vulnerability of regions to natural disasters, adding to the toll of recent earthquakes and avalanches across the country.
