At least two people have been pronounced dead, with dozens of other people missing after a landslide occurred in China’s southwest province of Yunnan.
The landslide occurred in Zhaotong city on Monday at 05:51 local time (21:51 GMT), trapping at least 47 persons.
With temperatures below freezing, President Xi Jinping has ordered an “all-out” rescue operation in the area.
Two “unresponsive” bodies have reportedly been recovered from the debris thus far, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Jimu News was informed by a Liangshui village resident that the landslide occurred while they were asleep.
The resident said, “It was very loud, and there was also a shake, it felt like a big earthquake.”
Social media users posted videos of rescuers walking on top debris heaps. Among the crumbling brickwork, personal items could also be seen strewn around.
Although the exact reason for the landslide remains unknown, the isolated mountainous area is prone to them because of its geographic position. There are also many instances of floods in that area, as well as several coal mines in the region.
According to a different villager cited by News China, the majority of the people living there were kids and the elderly.
A workgroup headed by Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has arrived at the scene to supervise rescue efforts.
A landslide in the same Zhenxiong county in January 2013 claimed the lives of at least eighteen individuals.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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