Second landslide stalls rescue efforts in China as nearly 100 remain missing

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

June 27,2017, 10:57:17AM,EDT

 

 A second landslide has stalled rescue efforts following a deadly landslide in China's Sichuan province over the weekend.

A torrent of rocks and mud engulfed more than 62 homes and a hotel around 6:00 a.m. Saturday local time in the village of Xinmo, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The second landslide occurred on Tuesday around 11:00 a.m., in the same village, according to state media.

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Xinhua reports that 15 people have been confirmed dead. The death toll will likely climb as more than 1,000 rescue workers wait to resume search efforts.
Xinhua also reported that the rescue crews were ordered to leave the site of the initial landslide on Monday over concerns that a second slide was imminent.

Heavy machinery is deployed to move debris during the search for victims at the site of a landslide in Maoxian County in southwestern China's Sichuan Province, Sunday, June 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Only three people from one family were fortunate enough to be rescued following the initial landslide. There have been no new signs of life.
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The debris blocked portions of a river and roadway in the area, according to Reuters.
The landslide is believed to be caused by several days of rainfall over the region.
Daily shower and thunderstorm activity will continue over Sichuan province the next several days, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Rob Richards.
"The afternoon hours will be most active," he said. "Any of these thunderstorms can contain locally heavy downpours, which can lead to new landslides due to how fast water is coming down."