Massive Hillside Collapses in China: Dramatic Chongqing Landslide Buries Homes, Thousands Rescued

A landslide struck Pengshui county in China's Chongqing municipality on Friday, burying residential buildings and trapping an unknown number of people. More than 1,100 residents were evacuated as rescue teams rushed to the site. Nine people were pulled from the debris with no life-threatening injuries reported.

A massive landslide struck Pengshui county in China's southwestern municipality of Chongqing on Friday, burying several residential buildings and trapping an unknown number of people beneath the debris. According to Chinese state media, the incident forced the evacuation of more than 1,100 residents as authorities launched an emergency response. The exact number of people still trapped has not yet been confirmed.

A rain-triggered landslide buries homes in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing, forcing more than 1,100 residents to evacuate. State media say at least 10 people were rescued from the debris as search and rescue operations continue. pic.twitter.com/xyGvec50TY

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) July 17, 2026

MAJOR RESCUE OPERATION UNDERWAY AS MASSIVE LANDSLIDE BURIES BUILDINGS IN CHINA !!!

A massive landslide struck Pengshui County in Chongqing, China, burying more than 10 residential buildings and forcing the evacuation of over 1,100 people.

Rescue teams are racing against time to… pic.twitter.com/LzvUuoCeue

— Ravi Prakash Official (@raviprakash_rtv) July 17, 2026

A massive landslide has occurred in Chongqing, China, causing several buildings to collapse. Several people are also reported to be trapped. There is currently no information regarding casualties. pic.twitter.com/4EmXVce0gk

— StrandenWX (@StrandenWX) July 17, 2026

🇨🇳 A HUGE landslide in Chongqing, China this morning, around 9AM local time, destroyed several buildings.

An unknown number of people were reportedly trapped under the debris.

Heavy rainfall has hindered rescue efforts, but they're believed to have rescued at least 7 so far.…

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 17, 2026

Today’s terrifying visuals as a massive landslide caused multiple buildings to collapse near the Wujiang Three Bridges in Pengshui, Chongqing, China.

Many people are trapped under the rubble as emergency crews conduct a major search and rescue operation. pic.twitter.com/gjhujNpFDA

— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) July 17, 2026

Warning issued before collapse

Officials said a local community worker noticed rocks falling from the hillside at around 8 am and immediately alerted authorities. Residents in the affected area were asked to leave their homes as a precaution.

However, while the evacuation was still in progress, the hillside collapsed at around 9.08 am, sending huge amounts of rock and mud crashing onto buildings below.

Rescue operation in full swing

State media reported that nine people had been rescued from the rubble. Authorities said none of them were in life-threatening condition.

Videos from the scene showed a thick cloud of dust rising as the hillside collapsed. Other footage captured frightened residents running to safety while vehicles stopped on nearby roads to avoid the falling debris.

China's Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level-II emergency response soon after the disaster. A 100-member rescue team was sent to the site, along with 206 firefighters and rescue personnel supported by 49 emergency vehicles.

Cause yet to be confirmed

Officials have not yet announced what triggered the landslide. Rescue teams continue to search through the debris while authorities assess the damage and monitor the area for further risks.

The investigation into the cause of the disaster is ongoing.