China Intensifies Search for 34 Missing After Deadly Landslide in Chongqing

Rescue workers in southwestern China stepped up efforts on Monday to reach 34 people who have been missing for three days after a massive landslide struck a mountainous area near Chongqing during torrential rainfall, as authorities blasted through huge boulders blocking access to the disaster site.

State broadcaster CCTV showed rescue teams using controlled explosives to break apart a giant rock that had slowed search operations. Officials said the mission had entered what they described as a “deep rescue phase,” though no immediate update was provided on whether anyone had been located.

The landslide struck on Friday in Penghui County, around 270 kilometres from central Chongqing, killing at least eight people. The area, known for its scenic landscapes, has been battered by heavy rainfall that triggered the collapse of a mountainside.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for scientific and coordinated rescue operations to locate the missing while also urging authorities to quickly investigate the cause of the disaster.

The landslide forced the evacuation of more than 1,100 residents from Penghui County, which has a population of about 500,000. Many communities in the region are built along steep hillsides overlooking the Wujian River, making them particularly vulnerable to landslides during periods of intense rainfall.

Images released after the disaster showed a large section of the mountainside crashing into the river below, burying roads and cutting off the main street of the hillside township. Emergency crews have been working around the clock to clear debris, stabilize the area and search for survivors.

China’s official Xinhua news agency reported that geological experts have been deployed to assess hidden hazards and monitor the risk of additional landslides. Authorities remain concerned that unstable ground could trigger secondary disasters and complicate rescue efforts.

Weather forecasts indicate that heavy to torrential rain will continue across several provinces through Monday, raising fears of further flooding and landslides. Officials have ordered stronger safety measures in areas considered vulnerable because of saturated soil, abundant groundwater and ongoing construction activity.

According to CCTV, eight small and medium-sized rivers in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Anhui and Shanghai are currently above official flood warning levels, increasing the risk of additional emergencies.

China is among the world’s most landslide-prone countries due to its mountainous terrain, frequent seismic activity and rapid urban development. Mountains, hills and plateaus cover roughly two-thirds of the country’s land area, making many communities susceptible to geological disasters during the summer rainy season.

Official figures show that about 294 people have died in at least five major landslides across China over the past decade. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in Shenzhen in December 2015, when a massive pile of construction waste collapsed at an industrial park, killing more than 70 people.