Death toll from landslide rises to 34 as hundreds remain relocated

The death toll from the landslide that hit Zhenxiong county in Southwest China's Yunnan province on Monday had risen to 34 as of 5 pm on Wednesday, with rescue efforts ongoing and 10 people still missing, according to local authorities.

The landslide occurred in Liangshui village at around 6 am on Monday, burying 18 houses.

By Wednesday afternoon, rescue teams had recovered 34 bodies from the rubble.

The command center handling the landslide reported that the initial analysis by the expert team during on-site investigations indicated that the steep topography, layered fractured rock structure, continuous precipitation infiltrating and softening the weak surface of the rock, along with rain and snow before the collapse, led to the groundwater reaching its critical point, triggering the collapse.

Transportation links to the disaster area, power and communication have been restored. The search and rescue for missing people are ongoing, with a focus on those buried deep, according to Yunnan Fire and Rescue. The cold and icy weather at the scene has increased the difficulty of rescue, it added.

While putting significant effort into rescuing the missing individuals, relocation and resettlement of survivors are being carried out simultaneously. Dozens of people are staying at a temporary resettlement site at an elementary school.

Local governments have allocated daily necessities to the affected residents, including 222 tents, 1,350 cotton coats, 700 quilts and 200 rollaway beds, the command center said.

Lei Yin, a 50-year-old villager staying at the resettlement site with his daughter, said: "We have guarantees for food, clothing, shelter and transportation. If we have difficulties, we can find the government staff members stationed here."

Song Han, a staff member from the local township government, said she has been working at the temporary relocation site since Monday.

Each classroom is equipped with heating equipment and 10 beds. Every affected individual has been provided with thick cotton coats and gloves. Food, drinking water and medical services are all available at the scene, she said.

"All cadres from the town are on the front line, each with their responsibilities," she said.

A total of 918 people have been relocated, with 90 people relocated to the elementary school, 778 people staying with relatives and friends, and two people receiving treatment in the county hospital.