Deadly landslide in China: Over 30 buried in flash flood aftermath

Shanghai: A landslide in China’s southwestern Sichuan province on Saturday buried over 30 people, with heavy rainfall in the area believed to be the cause, according to state media reports on Sunday.

The country has recently faced extreme weather, including deadly floods last year, its warmest year on record. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of such events to climate change.

The landslide struck Jinping village in Yibin city around 11:50 am (0350 GMT). "A preliminary study shows this disaster occurred due to the influence of recent prolonged rainfall and geological factors," CCTV said, citing local authorities.

The local county government told AFP on Sunday that 29 people were still missing after two were rescued on Saturday.

"The final number is still undergoing further verification," state broadcaster CCTV said on Sunday.

Video footage published by the broadcaster on Sunday showed rescuers with flashlights searching through debris in the dark.

China's President Xi Jinping on Saturday ordered authorities to do "everything possible to search for and rescue missing people, minimise casualties, and properly handle the aftermath".

AFP