China landslide leaves one dead, 28 missing in Sichuan province

Rescuers carry out search operations in Junlian County in the city of Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Photo / AFP

• A landslide in Sichuan province, China, has killed one person and left 28 missing.
• Over 900 rescuers are searching for survivors after the landslide in Jinping village, Yibin.
• President Xi Jinping has ordered efforts to rescue the missing and minimise casualties.

A landslide in China’s southwestern Sichuan province triggered by heavy rain has killed at least one person, with nearly 30 more missing, state media said Sunday.

China has been hit with extreme weather in recent months, with dozens of people killed in floods last year, its warmest on record.

Scientists say climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent.

Saturday’s landslide hit Jinping village in the city of Yibin at around 11.50am (3.50am GMT).

Staff members work at an emergency command centre in Jinping Village, Junlian County in the city of Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Photo / AFP

As of Sunday morning, “one person has been killed and 28 people are missing”, state news agency Xinhua said.

Two people were saved on Saturday and more than 900 rescuers are attempting to find the rest of the missing people, Xinhua said.

Video footage published by state broadcaster CCTV earlier on Sunday showed rescuers with flashlights searching through debris in the dark.

“A preliminary study shows this disaster occurred due to the influence of recent prolonged rainfall and geological factors,” CCTV said, citing local authorities.

President Xi Jinping ordered authorities on Saturday to do “everything possible to search for and rescue missing people, minimise casualties, and properly handle the aftermath”.

- Agence France-Presse