At least 21 people have died after a massive landslide struck Rencang Village in Gansu Province, northwest China, as relentless storms continue to unleash deadly floods and landslides across the country.

Flooded shops along a submerged riverside walk are seen by the overflowing Yongjiang river in Nanning, in China’s southern Guangxi region on Jul 7, 2026. A landslide in China's northwestern Gansu province occured on the same day, killing at least 21 people. (Photo: CN-STR via AFP) — Flooded shops along a submerged riverside walk are seen by the overflowing Yongjiang river in Nanning, in China’s southern Guangxi region on Jul 7, 2026. A landslide in China’s northwestern Gansu province occured on the same day, killing at least 21 people. (Photo: CN-STR via AFP)

GANSU PROVINCE, NORTHWEST CHINA-The death toll from a devastating landslide in northwest China has risen to 21, as rescue teams continue searching for possible survivors and victims buried beneath massive amounts of mud, rocks, and debris. The disaster struck on Tuesday following days of relentless rainfall that destabilized mountainsides and triggered widespread destruction across affected communities.

Emergency responders have been working around the clock under dangerous conditions, using heavy equipment alongside manual search efforts to reach areas cut off by collapsed roads and unstable terrain. Authorities have warned that continuous rainfall has increased the risk of additional landslides, complicating rescue operations and forcing evacuations in vulnerable locations.

The landslide is part of a broader wave of extreme weather battering China this week. Intense storms and torrential rains have swept across southern and central provinces, claiming around 17 additional lives while leaving hundreds of people injured. Floodwaters have submerged neighborhoods, damaged infrastructure, disrupted transportation, and displaced thousands of residents as emergency shelters fill with families forced to flee their homes.

Chinese authorities have mobilized disaster response teams, medical personnel, and relief supplies to the hardest-hit regions. Local governments have issued weather warnings, urging residents living near mountains, rivers, and low-lying areas to remain vigilant as meteorologists forecast continued heavy rainfall in several provinces.

Experts note that prolonged periods of intense precipitation significantly increase the likelihood of landslides by saturating soil and weakening slopes, particularly in mountainous regions. The combination of heavy rain, flooding, and unstable terrain has created a complex emergency that continues to challenge rescue and recovery efforts.

As recovery operations continue, officials are assessing the full extent of the damage while prioritizing the search for missing individuals and the safety of rescue workers. The twin disasters underscore the growing threat posed by extreme weather events, which have repeatedly affected large parts of China during this year’s rainy season, leaving communities facing loss, displacement, and the long process of rebuilding.

China Landslide Death Toll Climbs to 21 as Rescue Operations End

BEIJING — The death toll from the devastating landslide that struck northwestern China’s Gansu province has risen to 21 after rescue crews completed an intensive search operation, bringing a tragic end to efforts to locate dozens of people buried beneath tons of earth and debris.

The landslide occurred at approximately 6:56 a.m. on Tuesday in Rencang Village, Dangchang County, catching residents off guard as massive amounts of soil and rock swept through the community. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, 33 people were initially reported trapped when the mountainside collapsed, prompting an immediate large-scale emergency response involving rescue workers, medical personnel, and heavy equipment.

After working continuously through difficult conditions, local authorities confirmed on Wednesday that search and rescue operations had officially concluded. The disaster claimed the lives of 21 people, marking one of the deadliest landslides to hit the region this year. Officials have not yet released further details regarding the identities of the victims or the condition of the remaining individuals who were initially reported missing.

The Chinese government has moved quickly to begin recovery efforts, allocating 30 million yuan (approximately US$4.4 million) for reconstruction and disaster relief. The funding is expected to support damaged communities, restore critical infrastructure, and provide assistance to families affected by the catastrophe.

Gansu province, known for its mountainous terrain, is particularly vulnerable to landslides, especially during periods of heavy rainfall when saturated soil becomes unstable. Natural disasters of this kind continue to pose significant risks to rural communities situated along steep hillsides, where sudden ground movement can occur with little warning.

Authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the landslide while monitoring surrounding areas for additional geological hazards. Emergency officials have also urged local governments to strengthen disaster preparedness and early warning systems to reduce the risk of future tragedies.

As recovery begins, the focus now shifts from rescue to rebuilding, with local communities mourning the lives lost while government agencies work to restore homes, infrastructure, and essential services in the wake of the disaster. / CNA , JSA Aptikons

APTIKONS

China Landslide Death Toll Reaches 21 After Deadly Gansu Mountain Collapse

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China Landslide Death Toll Climbs to 21 as Rescue Operations End