China's Sichuan launches highest-level emergency response after fatal landslide

CHENGDU, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Sichuan Province upgraded its geological disaster emergency response from Level III to Level I -- the highest level -- at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, after a landslide buried 10 houses and left over 30 people missing.

The landslide occurred at 11:50 a.m. in Jinping Village, which is located in the city of Yibin's Junlian County, according to the provincial geological disaster prevention and control headquarters.

Two people were rescued in the afternoon, and rescue efforts are ongoing. ■