**At Least 16 People Buried Following Landslide in China’s Gansu Province**
**Gansu, China – July 7, 2026** – A devastating landslide in the mountainous region of Gansu province has left at least 16 individuals buried, according to reports from state broadcaster CCTV. The incident occurred amid severe weather conditions that have affected large parts of China, including deadly thunderstorms in other regions.
Initially, 33 people were reported trapped following the landslide, which struck on Tuesday. Rescue efforts have successfully saved 17 individuals, but the search continues for those still unaccounted for. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered a comprehensive rescue operation to locate and assist those affected by this natural disaster.
The exact cause of the landslide remains unknown, but it coincides with a series of thunderstorms that have recently impacted various regions of China. On Monday night, thunderstorms in central Hubei province resulted in at least eight fatalities, with one person still missing. The storms also caused injuries to at least 275 individuals as they swept through cities including Huangshi, Huanggang, Ezhou, and Xianning, where wind speeds reached up to 149 km/h (approximately 92.58 mph).
As the situation develops, weather forecasters have issued warnings for continued heavy rainfall across multiple regions, affecting an estimated 200 million residents. The National Meteorological Centre has highlighted that areas in the southeastern region of Guangxi and the eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Shandong should prepare for extremely heavy rain, with forecasts predicting accumulations of up to 260 mm within the next 24 hours. Such conditions could exacerbate the risk of further landslides.
In addition to the ongoing weather challenges, China is also monitoring Super Typhoon Bavi, which is advancing across the Pacific Ocean towards Taiwan. The storm has been reported to have winds reaching 290 km/h (approximately 180 mph) as it moves through areas including Guam, Tinian, Saipan, and Rota.
As rescue operations continue in Gansu and authorities respond to the broader impacts of severe weather across the country, the situation remains critical. Emergency services are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of those affected and to mitigate the risks posed by ongoing adverse weather conditions.