A devastating landslide struck Jinping Village in Junlian County, Yibin City, in southwest China’s Sichuan Province at 11:50 a.m. on Saturday, leaving 28 people missing.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has called for all-out efforts to search for and rescue the missing, emphasizing the importance of preventing secondary disasters. As a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Liu underscored the need to minimize casualties to the greatest extent possible.
Liu rushed to the disaster site on Saturday night to oversee the rescue operations and emergency response efforts. Upon his arrival, he inspected the landslide scene, assessed the progress of the rescue mission, and reviewed plans for follow-up actions.
During a meeting on Sunday, the vice premier stressed the necessity of a well-coordinated rescue operation. He advocated for the deployment of advanced equipment and monitoring instruments to ensure the safety of rescue workers and improve efficiency. Liu highlighted the importance of accurately accounting for the missing individuals and conducting thorough risk assessments to facilitate the prompt evacuation of residents in potential danger zones.
He also called for compassionate support for the families of the missing and the injured, ensuring that relocated residents receive adequate assistance. Liu emphasized the need for timely and accurate information dissemination to address public concerns and maintain transparency.
On Sunday, Liu visited the injured at a local hospital, urging the mobilization of high-quality medical resources to reduce casualties and aid in the recovery of those affected.
