A landslide in Chongqing, China caused 8 deaths and 34 people are still missing.

Tragedy struck the city of Chongqing in southwestern China on Friday when a landslide claimed the lives of eight people and left 34 others missing. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, resulted in the collapse of multiple residential buildings and forced over 1,100 people to flee their homes, according to reports from state media. Despite the devastating impact, there were some fortunate survivors.

Ten people were rescued from the rubble, with two of them sustaining serious injuries, as reported by the state-run Xinhua News Agency. The landslide happened at approximately 9:08 am in Pengshui County, a part of Chongqing, when a large amount of rocks and soil came hurtling down the slope, burying more than 10 residential buildings in its wake. CCTV, the state broadcaster, shared that the incident caused disruption to the water, electricity, and gas supplies within a 1-km radius.

In response, over 800 rescue workers were swiftly deployed to the scene. Footage from CCTV revealed the horrific sight of a mountainside collapsing onto a residential area, with buildings located perilously close to the site of the disaster. Rescue teams were seen sifting through the debris, but their efforts were hampered by the treacherous terrain and the looming danger of another landslide.

On social media, images of the rescue operation were shared, showing rescuers wearing bright orange gear and using excavators to clear the rubble. In one heart-stopping moment, a survivor was pulled out from underneath the debris by a team of determined rescuers. The impact of the landslide was evident in the images, with large pieces of rock scattered near the buildings and a nearby waterway.

While some structures had collapsed, others, including two buildings of five and 15 stories, were still standing but damaged. The landslide was triggered by heavy rainfall in the area, which is known for its karst mountains dotted with small towns and terraces. In response to the disaster, authorities have sent over 8,000 relief items, including tents, beds, and emergency kits, to Chongqing.

Pengshui County, where the landslide took place, is situated in the southeast of Chongqing, bordering the provinces of Hubei and Guizhou. As the city grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, the community has come together to support and aid those affected by the disaster.