China landslide death toll rises to 51 as land search concludes, 10 still missing

The death toll from a landslide in southwestern China earlier this month has climbed to 51 after search crews concluded operations on land, local authorities said Thursday, July 30,  with 10 people still missing.

According to a statement from Pengshui County, located outside the southwestern city of Chongqing, dredging and search efforts are continuing in the Wujiang River. The landslide, which occurred on July 17, sent falling rocks and soil crashing into more than 10 residential buildings and a minibus.

The disaster injured 10 people, three of whom have since been discharged from hospital, the statement said. More than 1,100 residents were evacuated in the aftermath, and traffic in the affected area is expected to resume soon.

Authorities have deployed divers and underwater robots to assist with the ongoing search operations in the river.

(Sourced through PTI