Landslide Kills Eight in Southwest China; 34 People Still Missing

 

Rescue personnel search through debris after a landslide struck Pengshui county in Chongqing, killing eight people and leaving dozens missing as emergency operations continue.

Landslide in Southwest China Kills Eight; 34 Still Missing

BEIJING — July 18, 2026

A powerful landslide struck Pengshui County in China's southwestern municipality of Chongqing on Friday, leaving at least eight people dead while 34 others remain missing, according to local authorities.

The disaster occurred during an emergency evacuation after officials noticed falling rocks earlier in the morning. Although dozens of residents were warned and began leaving the area, a massive section of the hillside collapsed shortly afterward, burying homes and surrounding buildings.

Authorities said more than 1,000 residents from nearby communities have since been evacuated as a precaution.

Rescue operation continues

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered rescue teams to continue searching for survivors and instructed officials to investigate the cause of the landslide.

Emergency crews, firefighters, medical teams, and heavy machinery have been deployed to the affected area. Officials confirmed that 10 people were injured, with several reported in serious condition.

Homes destroyed

Video footage from the scene showed large amounts of rock and soil crashing down a hillside before engulfing residential buildings below. Thick clouds of dust filled the air as residents rushed to safety.

Authorities say the landslide destroyed multiple homes and caused significant damage to the surrounding area.

Cause under investigation

The exact cause of the landslide has not yet been determined. Geological experts have begun assessing the site while rescue operations remain ongoing.

Officials warned that unstable ground conditions continue to pose risks to rescue workers and nearby communities.