Five people are dead and 12 remain trapped after a landslide struck the Nanhe township in Longnan, Gansu province, according to reports from Chinese state media and local emergency services. The disaster occurred shortly before 7:00 a.m. local time, burying 33 people under debris in northwest China.
Rescue operations are currently underway in the affected region of Gansu. Local authorities have deployed emergency teams to locate the missing individuals and recover victims from the slide. The incident highlights the ongoing risk of geological instability in the mountainous terrain of northwest China, where heavy rains often trigger sudden soil collapses.
The landslide hit a residential area in Nanhe, a township under the jurisdiction of Longnan city. Initial reports indicate that the slide moved rapidly, leaving residents little time to evacuate their homes before the debris hit. Search and rescue teams are utilizing heavy machinery and canine units to sift through the mud and rock.
How many people were affected by the Gansu landslide?
Official figures indicate that 33 people were initially buried by the landslide. As of the latest updates, five fatalities have been confirmed. Rescue workers continue to search for 12 people who are still missing and presumed trapped beneath the earth, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The remaining 16 individuals who were caught in the slide have either been rescued or were not reported as missing, though the exact number of injuries remains under verification by local medical teams in Longnan. The scale of the debris field has complicated the extraction process, as rescuers must move slowly to avoid triggering secondary slides.
What caused the landslide in Longnan?
While a final geological report has not been released, regional weather patterns in Gansu often contribute to such disasters. Landslides in this part of China are frequently linked to saturated soil following intense precipitation, which destabilizes slopes in the Loess Plateau region. According to data from the China Meteorological Administration, the northwest region is prone to seasonal flash floods and mudslides during periods of erratic rainfall.
The specific timing of the event—occurring just before dawn—increased the casualty rate, as many victims were likely asleep when the slope failed. This pattern of early-morning disasters is common in rural Gansu, where homes are often built near the base of steep hills.
What is the current status of the rescue operation?
Emergency responders from the Gansu provincial government have established a command center in Nanhe. The operation involves a combination of manual digging and the use of excavators to clear the primary blockage. Because the landslide occurred in a township, rescuers are prioritizing the search in areas where residential structures were completely submerged.
Local officials have stated that the priority remains the “golden window” for rescuing survivors. However, the depth of the burial for the 12 missing persons has made the search increasingly difficult. Coordination between the Longnan municipal government and provincial disaster relief agencies is ongoing to ensure medical evacuation routes remain open.
Why is this region prone to these disasters?
Gansu province sits on the edge of the Loess Plateau, an area characterized by highly erodible silty soil. When this soil becomes saturated with water, it loses structural integrity and can collapse in massive volumes. This geological vulnerability, combined with the steep topography of Longnan, creates a high-risk environment for landslides.
Historically, the region has faced similar tragedies. These events often lead to calls for improved early warning systems and the relocation of villages situated in high-risk zones. The impact of these slides is often magnified by the remote nature of the townships, which can delay the arrival of heavy rescue equipment from larger cities.
The next official update from the Gansu provincial emergency management department is expected following the completion of the primary search phase in Nanhe. Residents in neighboring areas have been advised to monitor weather alerts for further instability.
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