A significant landslide struck Pengshui County in China's southwestern Chongqing municipality on Friday, burying a residential area and trapping an undetermined number of people. Authorities have launched a large-scale rescue operation.

The immediate scale of the disaster remains unclear, with officials confirming that several buildings were engulfed by the moving earth. Rescue teams are now in a desperate race against time, sifting through debris in an effort to locate and free those caught beneath the rubble.

The landslide occurred in a populated sector of Pengshui County, a mountainous region prone to geological hazards. Eyewitnesses reported a sudden collapse of earth and rock, which rapidly engulfed homes. The precise trigger for Friday's event has not yet been announced.

china chongqing landslide rescue operation

Emergency services, including police, firefighters, and medical personnel, rapidly deployed to the scene. State media reported that a substantial contingent of rescue workers, equipped with heavy machinery and specialised search tools, are involved in the ongoing operation.

Chongqing, a sprawling municipality in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, often experiences heavy rainfall during the summer months, which can destabilise hillsides. Landslides and mudslides are a recurring threat in many parts of China, particularly in its mountainous southern and western regions, where rapidly expanding urban areas sometimes push against unstable terrain.

Details regarding potential casualties or injuries remain scarce, with both Euronews and DW News reporting an unspecified number of individuals trapped. Focus is currently on the immediate search and rescue efforts, with local authorities expected to provide further updates as the situation develops.