Landslide Disasters Occur in Two Provinces of China: 2 Dead and Many Trapped

A flash flood and mudslide disaster occurred in Guilin City, Guangxi Province, China, with 8 people suspected missing.

According to a report from Xinhua News Agency quoting the relevant departments of Guangxi and Longsheng Autonomous County, on the early morning of the 23rd, a flash flood and mudslide hit Sanshe Village in Sishui Township, Longsheng County, Guilin City. A preliminary investigation revealed that 8 people are suspected to be missing, with 10 houses damaged. Currently, local emergency, fire, public security, and other departments are conducting rescue operations on-site.

Additionally, continuous heavy rain led to 2 landslide disasters on the 22nd in Guizhou Province, trapping at least 21 people, among whom 2 were found with no signs of life upon rescue.

Comprehensive reports from Chinese media indicate that at around 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the 22nd, Guizhou Province encountered 2 successive landslides. Two people were trapped in Changshi Town, Dafang County, while 19 people from 8 households were trapped in Qingyang Village, Guowa Township, including missing elderly and children.

A resident of Qingyang Village recalled that landslides washed away 5 or 6 houses between 7 and 8 in the morning. Another villager recalled that at approximately 2 a.m., strong winds and heavy rain began. Rainwater entered the houses, and electricity went out in the village, forcing them to drain water in the dark; the heavy rain continued until around 6 or 7 a.m., "and the family did not dare to sleep."

The accumulated rainfall exceeded 100 millimeters within 3 hours, with creek water surging nearly 6 meters high. The Guizhou Fire and Rescue Brigade dispatched 5 detachments, comprising 67 vehicles, 210 personnel, 14 search and rescue dogs, 15 sets of radar life detectors, and drones to the scene for a rapid rescue mission.

Due to the steep terrain of the disaster area, there is a risk of secondary landslides, making rescue operations more challenging.

This large-scale landslide has blocked the main road connecting Changshi Town to Guowa Township, with multiple power lines broken. Authorities dispatched more than 70 personnel and 18 pieces of equipment to the site for clearance, and by noon on the 22nd, the road was finally cleared, allowing the team to enter the village to repair power equipment.