China Landslide Disaster: 8 Dead, 34 Missing After Hillside Buries Homes in Chongqing

At least eight people were killed and 34 others remain missing after a massive rain-triggered landslide struck Pengshui County in China's southwestern municipality of Chongqing on Friday, burying homes under tonnes of rock and soil and triggering a large-scale rescue operation.

According to Chinese state media, the landslide occurred at around 9:08 am local time , when a huge section of a mountainside suddenly gave way, sending rocks and mud crashing into a residential area. More than 10 residential buildings were buried, trapping residents beneath the debris.

Emergency teams rescued 10 people , including two who suffered serious injuries , while authorities deployed more than 800 rescue personnel to search for survivors. Rescue operations have been complicated by unstable ground, continuous rain and the risk of additional landslides, forcing teams to proceed cautiously.

As a safety measure, electricity, water and gas supplies were suspended within a one-kilometre radius of the disaster site to reduce the risk of further accidents. Authorities also evacuated more than 1,100 residents from nearby areas as a precaution.

Television footage showed rescue workers using heavy excavators and specialised equipment to remove debris, while emergency crews searched for signs of life. Images circulating online captured dramatic moments as rescuers pulled survivors from the rubble. Large slabs of rock were seen scattered across the area, with several buildings heavily damaged but still standing.

The landslide occurred near the Wujiang River , a mountainous region known for its rugged karst landscape. Experts believe persistent rainfall likely weakened the slope, triggering the collapse.

Chinese authorities have rushed over 8,000 emergency relief supplies , including tents, folding beds and family emergency kits, to assist displaced residents. Rescue and relief efforts are continuing as officials race against time to locate those still trapped beneath the debris.