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A mudslide struck Yanbian County in Panzhihua City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, in the early hours of September 19, 2026, leaving five people missing.

Location and Timing

The disaster occurred near the Shijiagou Tunnel in Zhiliuhe Village, Gesala Township, Yanbian County. According to reports, the mudslide happened at approximately 11:00 p.m. on September 18. The affected area is part of the under-construction Panzhihua-Yanbian Expressway project.

Impact and Casualties

Initial statistics confirmed that five people were missing following the mudslide. Video footage from the scene showed construction equipment buried in mud and debris, with large rocks mixed into the flow. Villagers reported that thunder and rainfall began around 9:00 p.m. on September 18, and that two nearby houses were washed away, though they were unoccupied at the time.

Emergency Response

Multiple government departments activated emergency procedures following the disaster:

  • Provincial Level: The Sichuan Provincial Emergency Management Department immediately coordinated with the Panzhihua and Yanbian emergency management bureaus, dispatched a working group to the scene, and deployed Wing Loong drones for communication restoration and aerial reconnaissance.
  • National Level: The Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level IV national geological disaster emergency response and sent a working group to guide rescue operations. The Ministry of Natural Resources also initiated a Level IV geological disaster defense response.
  • Provincial Geological Response: The Sichuan Provincial Geological Disaster Prevention and Control Headquarters activated a Level III provincial emergency response, and the Provincial Department of Natural Resources dispatched an expert working group to the site.

Rescue Operations

Local authorities organized emergency, fire, and rescue forces to conduct search and rescue operations. Additional support included:

  • Seven vehicles and 30 professional technicians from Panzhihua City and Yanbian County, equipped with six sets of drones and other specialized equipment for emergency surveys, monitoring, early warning, and hazard inspections.
  • The rescue teams established danger zones, managed on-site personnel, and provided technical support for disaster relief efforts.

The rescue operation is ongoing, and the exact cause of the mudslide is still under investigation.