A significant landslide in a major city in China has resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals, with 34 people still unaccounted for, leading to the evacuation of over one thousand residents.

The landslide occurred on the outskirts of the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing, as reported by local authorities and state media, happening around 9:08 a.m. in Pengshui County on the periphery of the Chongqing municipality.

Reports indicate that a substantial volume of rocks and soil cascaded downhill, engulfing more than 10 residential structures. Ten individuals were rescued from the wreckage, including two who sustained severe injuries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an investigation into the cause of the calamity.

The destructive landslide involved approximately 18,000 cubic meters (636,000 cubic feet) of rocks and debris, with the largest single rock estimated at around 3,000 cubic meters (106,000 cubic feet), as stated by Wang Chuanjun, the head of Planning and Natural Resources in Pengshui County, during a press briefing.

Wang also cautioned about the ongoing risk of additional collapses under extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall or prolonged periods of clear and hot weather.

To prevent further disruptions, water, electricity, and gas supplies were halted within a one-kilometer (0.6-mile) radius of the landslide area. A statement from local government mentioned that over 800 rescuers were deployed at the scene, with the utilization of drones for surveying the landslide sites.

CCTV images depicted a section of the mountainside collapsing onto a residential zone. Several buildings were situated near the collapse location, and rescue teams worked through the debris.

Rescue operations faced challenges due to the unstable terrain and the potential for another landslide. Social media footage captured a team of rescuers extracting a survivor from the rubble.

Enormous rock slabs had slid alongside buildings into a waterway below, resulting in damage to two buildings, each approximately five and 15 stories high, which remained standing.

The Chinese urban settlement is a vast metropolitan marvel spanning 31,815 square miles – an area equivalent to the size of Austria.

With a population of 32 million inhabitants, the city showcases remarkable geographical features. The architectural layout of Chongqing has been likened to a “city in three dimensions” due to its intricate, multi-layered design.