Landslide – China Forest Workers Killed After Mountain Valley Collapse
Landslide – A landslide in a remote mountain valley in northwestern China has killed 21 forestry workers, according to state media, after rescue teams completed their search operations on Wednesday.
Workers were travelling for forest maintenance
The group had been heading to carry out forest clearing and maintenance work when the slope gave way shortly before 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The incident occurred in an isolated and uninhabited part of Tanchang county in Gansu province.
Twelve people were rescued from the site. Seven of those survivors suffered minor injuries, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Emergency crews continued working through the debris before authorities confirmed that rescue efforts had concluded.
Debris covered a large section of the valley
Officials said the landslide stretched about 40 metres across and covered an estimated 5,400 square metres of land. Large volumes of soil, rocks and other material swept down the mountainside and filled part of the valley below.
The debris was believed to be between eight and 10 metres deep in some areas, making the recovery operation difficult. Excavators and other heavy machinery were deployed to remove the material and support rescue workers at the scene.
Television images from the area showed a broad strip of exposed earth cutting through the mountainside. The damaged section stood out against the densely forested slopes surrounding the valley, where the terrain rises sharply on both sides.
Authorities warn of further slope instability
A preliminary review by local natural resources officials found that several factors may have contributed to the collapse. These included the steep mountain landscape, erosion and the geological conditions of the area.
Yang Yaoxian, a natural resources official in Longnan city, said the soil and rocks left behind by the landslide remain unstable. Authorities have warned that another collapse could occur if the affected slope shifts again.
The risk of a secondary landslide has added to concerns for rescue and recovery teams working in the area. Officials are expected to continue monitoring the site while assessing the safety of nearby mountain routes and forest zones.
Incident occurred south of Gansu’s provincial capital
The landslide took place in Tanchang county, around 220 kilometres south of Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. The region is known for its rugged mountain terrain and remote valleys, where weathering and erosion can weaken slopes over time.
No residents were reported to be living near the site of the landslide. The workers were travelling through the valley as part of their forestry duties when they were caught by the sudden collapse.
Chinese authorities have not released further details about the identities of those killed or the exact timeline of the recovery operation. Investigators are continuing to examine the cause of the disaster and assess whether additional safety measures are needed in the area.