A landslide in Pengshui County, Chongqing, on July 17 sent more than 18,000 cubic meters of rock into a residential area, killing 11 people and leaving about 50 missing. Rescue crews faced unstable terrain and large boulders, and have used explosive charges to clear blocked access points. State media reported on July 23 that repeated searches showed "no signs of life" among those still missing. The disaster highlights the persistent landslide risk in parts of China.
11 Dead, About 50 Missing After Massive Landslide Destroys Homes in Chongqing
An aerial view of the site of a rainfall-induced landslide in the Chinese city of Chongqing.Credit: He Penglei/China News Service/VCG via Getty
A catastrophic landslide in Pengshui County, Chongqing, on July 17 has left 11 people dead and roughly 50 unaccounted for after more than 18,000 cubic meters of rock and debris swept through a residential area, destroying over 10 buildings.
What Happened
Heavy rain preceded the collapse that sent an enormous volume of rock and soil down the mountainside into homes and the nearby Wujiang River. State and international media outlets — including Xinhua, Reuters, The Associated Press, CNN and NBC News — reported that initial search efforts recovered 11 fatalities and found 10 injured people. About 50 residents remain missing after a week of intensive search operations.
Search and Recovery Efforts
Rescue crews continued working under hazardous conditions, confronting unstable terrain and enormous boulders. According to state media, teams have resorted to using explosive charges to break apart rocks that block access to parts of the site. On July 23, the state-run Xinhua news agency said,
"After multiple rounds of life detection and search, no signs of life remain."
Rescue team members at the scene of the landslide on July 17Credit: He Penglei/China News Service/VCG via Getty
Damage and Scene Description
Photos and video from the disaster show neighboring buildings sheared in half, structures crushed beneath debris and a swath of rubble extending from the slope into the Wujiang River. Some buildings are no longer visible beneath fallen rock. Local authorities continue clearing debris while monitoring slope stability and weather conditions.
Context
China is prone to landslides in mountainous and rain-affected regions. Reuters reports that roughly 294 people have died in major landslides across the country over the past decade, underscoring recurring risks in vulnerable areas.
Credits: Scene photographs and reports referenced by international outlets were credited to He Penglei/China News Service/VCG via Getty and to reporting from Reuters, AP, CNN and NBC News.
Note: Rescue and recovery operations remain ongoing. Authorities have not provided a final count of missing persons and stressed that efforts continue amid difficult and dangerous conditions.
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