Thirty people missing after landslide buries homes in China

On Saturday, February 7, 2025, a devastating landslide occurred in Junlian county, located in southwestern Sichuan province, China. The landslide buried ten houses and left approximately thirty individuals unaccounted for. The Ministry of Emergency Management promptly began mobilizing hundreds of rescuers, which included firefighters, to search for the missing individuals and to assist in evacuating those in danger. State media reported that two survivors had already been found, while around 200 residents were relocated to safety in response to the incident. Local villagers had previously noted that rocks had been rolling down the mountainside for over six months, indicative of ongoing geological instability. Prior inspections by geologists were conducted late last year, which raised concerns about the area's safety. Following the landslide, President Xi Jinping expressed his deep concern and urged all governmental units to exert maximum efforts in the rescue operations and diminish potential casualties. Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for an investigation into the geological risks in the surrounding regions and sought preventative measures for those who might be under threat. Given the occurrence, the National Development and Reform Commission allocated 50 million yuan, equivalent to 6.9 million USD, from the central budget to support urgent restoration of the damaged infrastructure and services. These events underscore the ongoing risks posed by geology in the area and the urgent need for effective disaster preparedness and response strategies.