Sun Feb 09 10:11:21 UTC 2025: ## Dozens Missing After Landslide Devastates Southern China Village
**Yibin, Sichuan Province, China** – A massive landslide triggered by heavy rainfall has devastated Jingping village in Yibin city, leaving at least 28 people missing and claiming one life. The disaster, which struck Saturday morning, buried nearly a dozen homes under tons of debris.
Rescue efforts are underway, with nearly 1,000 personnel – including armed police, firefighters, and medical professionals – working tirelessly to locate survivors. Two injured individuals have been rescued, and approximately 360 residents have been evacuated. President Xi Jinping has ordered authorities to prioritize minimizing casualties and managing the aftermath.
Rescue teams are utilizing drones, life-detection radar, and local knowledge to navigate the treacherous landscape of collapsed buildings and debris, which stretches over 1.2 kilometers. Initial assessments attribute the landslide to a combination of prolonged heavy rainfall and unfavorable geological conditions, transforming the initial slide into a destructive debris flow exceeding 100,000 cubic meters.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong is overseeing the rescue operation on the ground, urging authorities to exhaust all efforts in the search for the missing. He also highlighted the ongoing risk of further collapses, emphasizing the need for a scientific assessment to ensure the safety of ongoing rescue efforts. The Chinese government has allocated 80 million yuan (approximately $11 million USD) for disaster relief and recovery. Landslides are a recurring problem in China, often linked to heavy rainfall and potentially unsafe construction practices.
First Piper 