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)


January 23, 2024

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.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Thousands of People Bid Final Goodbye to Pope Francis at Vatican City

On Friday evening, Pope Francis' wooden coffin was sealed, officially ending the three days his body lay in state at....

George Santos Sentenced To Seven Years For Fraud In House Campaign

George Santos, a former US representative, received a seven-year prison sentence on Friday. The case ended a long controversy that....

Virginia Giuffre, Epstein Accuser, Dies at 41 in Australia

Virginia Giuffre, known for accusing Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, has died by suicide at 41. Her....

Pakistan halts Indian visas After Deadly Kashmir Attack On Tourists

Pakistan has taken strong steps against India following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. The....

China Opens Moon Rocks To Global Scientists, Including the US

China has agreed to let scientists from six countries, including the United States, study Moon rocks it collected during its....

Israel Admits Killing UN Worker In Gaza After Initial Denial

Israel's military has admitted that its troops killed a United Nations (UN) worker in the Gaza Strip last month, after....

Trump Criticizes Putin Over Deadly Russian Strikes On Kyiv

US President Donald Trump has expressed his anger over the deadly Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, stating that he....

Thousands Gather To Bid Farewell To Pope Francis In Vatican

Pope Francis’ body was laid in state at St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, allowing thousands of Catholic pilgrims to pay....

India Calls In Pakistan Envoy Over Kashmir Attack That Killed 26

India took strong diplomatic steps against Pakistan after a deadly attack in Kashmir. The government summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in....

India Halts Indus Treaty, Closes Attari Border Over Militant Attack

India has taken strong action against Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. This attack killed....

6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Istanbul, Causes Panic

A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday, causing panic in the Turkish city. The quake....

Gaza Health Ministry Defends Accuracy Of Death Toll Data

At al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Alam Hirzallah faces a heartbreaking task: registering the deaths of his cousin’s wife and....