Xi orders all-out rescue of people buried in Sichuan landslide

President Xi Jinping ordered all-out search and rescue efforts to minimize casualties after a landslide buried 10 houses and left over 30 people unaccounted for in southwestern China's Sichuan Province today.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the instruction after the landslide struck Jinping Village, Junlian County in the city of Yibin.

This photo shows the site of a landslide in Jinping Village, Junlian County in Yibin, southwestern China's Sichuan Province. Xinhua

Xi urged efforts to properly handle the aftermath. He stressed strengthening monitoring and early warning, ensuring the rescue work is carried out scientifically, and preventing the occurrence of secondary disasters.

The landslide occurred at 11:50 a.m., according to local authorities. 

A Level I geological disaster emergency response, the highest level, was initiated in the province at 3:30 p.m. today.

Emergency rescue, fire, public security, transportation, medical, telecommunications, electricity and other forces quickly rushed to the scene to carry out or assist the rescue efforts.

Two people were rescued in the afternoon. (Xinhua)