Nearly 1,000 rescue workers from multiple agencies have rushed to the site of a devastating landslide at a village in southwest China's Sichuan Province, braving tough weather conditions to carry out emergency life-saving operations.
The landslide struck at about 11:50 on Saturday in Jinping Village, Junlian County in the city of Yibin.
As of midnight on Saturday, preliminary reports indicated that the landslide buried 10 homes and one production facility. Two injured individuals were rescued, and 29 people are still listed as missing.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has launched a Level-III emergency geological disaster response, while China's National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief has activated a Level-IV national disaster relief emergency response.
China has a four-level emergency disaster relief response system, with Level IV being the lowest level and Level I the highest.
Search and rescue teams from various arms of the military and government departments, including armed police, militia, police and firefighters, have been swiftly deployed to the disaster area.
The rescue command center is located approximately 600 meters from the landslide site, where the still active landslide, coupled with heavy rain and fog, continues to impede rescue efforts.
The rescue teams are working around the clock, focusing on locating missing individuals and conducting post-disaster recovery, rescue and resettlement operations in a highly coordinated manner.
The Yibin section of the Sichuan provincial corps of the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) has been actively involved in evacuating residents, transporting supplies and providing essential support to the affected areas.
By Saturday afternoon, more than 200 people had been successfully evacuated, and several shelters were set up to provide food and accommodations.
The rescue workers have also efficiently handled transportation, medical care, communication, electricity, and other critical services.
"We have taken with us four sets of life detection equipment, along with rescue tools for demolition, medical supplies, and emergency lighting and communication equipment," said Wen Tao, a staff member of the rescue team of the Red Cross Society in Yibin.
The Sichuan Provincial Military Area Command immediately activated emergency plans, with the Junlian County Armed Force Department dispatching 120 militiamen to conduct house-to-house searches in the affected and surrounding areas, ensuring safe evacuation of residents.
"We mobilized militiamen to work overnight at resettlement sites, setting up tents and transporting supplies to ensure all affected people are properly evacuated and taken care of," said Hong Hua, an officer of the Yibin Military Sub-Area Command of the Sichuan Provincial Military Area Command.
Rescue efforts ramp up after landslide hit southwest China village
Rescue efforts ramp up after landslide hit southwest China village
Rescue efforts ramp up after landslide hit southwest China village
