Over 30 missing after large landslide hits Jinping village, China

A large landslide hit Jinping Village in Junlian County, in the city of Yibin, Southwest China’s Sichuan province, on February 8, 2025, burying 10 houses and leaving over 30 people missing. The landslide occurred at 11:50 LT (03:50 UTC), prompting immediate emergency response measures and the evacuation of over 200 people.

A Level I geological disaster emergency response, the highest level, was initiated in the province at 15:30 LT (07:30 UTC).

President Xi Jinping, who also serves as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has directed an all-out rescue effort to minimize casualties and ensure the safety of residents.

Emergency personnel including search and rescue teams, firefighters, medical teams, and law enforcement, were deployed to the scene to assist in rescue operations. Rescue teams were able to recover two individuals alive from the debris during the afternoon.

President Xi Jinping issued instructions to ensure rescue efforts are conducted efficiently.

“All localities and relevant departments must step up efforts to uncover hidden risks related to various kinds of disasters and workplace safety, resolutely prevent the occurrence of serious and major disasters and accidents, and effectively protect people’s lives and property,” Xi stated.

“Efforts must be made to rescue the trapped, determine the cause of the landslide, examine potential geological hazards in surrounding areas, transfer those who are at risk to safe places, and prevent secondary disasters,” said Li Qiang, the Chinese Premier and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

The ongoing search is being carried out with specialized geological teams assessing the stability of the surrounding terrain to prevent additional landslides. Officials are prioritizing safety measures including monitoring soil shifts and potential rockfalls in the affected region.

Liu Guozhong, Vice Premier and a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, has arrived in Sichuan Province with a dedicated working team to oversee and guide the rescue operations.

The National Development and Reform Commission has allocated approximately $7 million (¥50 million) to aid emergency restoration efforts, focusing on damaged infrastructure and public service facilities in the region.

Geological experts have noted that Jinping Village has experienced recurring rockfalls in recent months, with reports of residents hearing cracking noises resembling firecrackers before the latest disaster.

Preliminary assessments suggest that geological instability combined with seasonal weather changes may have contributed to the landslide.

References:

¹ About 200 people relocated after fatal landslide in SW China’s Sichuan – CHINA DAILY – February 8, 2025

² Xi orders all-out rescue of people buried in SW China landslide – ENGLISH.GOV.CN – February 8, 2025

Rishika Yadav

Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.

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