A devastating landslide struck Pengshui County in southwestern China's Chongqing municipality on Friday morning, killing at least eight people and leaving 34 missing.The disaster occurred when over 18,000 cubic meters of rock and soil cascaded down a slope, burying more than 10 residential buildings.Rescue crews faced immense challenges as persistent rain from Friday night to Saturday morning, measuring 19.2cm at weather stations, turned the terrain into a hazardous landscape.While ten people were rescued and hospitalized, over 1,100 residents were evacuated from the area.The largest single rock displaced by the landslide measured approximately 3,000 cubic meters, with debris scattered across steep slopes.Rescue teams are now working to stabilize the site, with plans to drill into unstable boulders using explosives once initial searches are complete.China's National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 30-million yuan (R73.1m) for infrastructure recovery efforts.

The incident highlights the dangers of heavy rainfall in karst regions, where such landslides pose significant risks to communities near rivers like the Wujiang.Authorities emphasize the need for continued vigilance as rescue operations remain complex due to unstable conditions.