Search and rescue site initially divided into 3 areas

 

　　At around 9 a.m. yesterday, search and rescue work was proceeding in a tense and orderly manner at the landslide rescue site, with two bulldozers carrying out clearing and excavation in the first burial area previously identified as possibly containing missing persons.

 

　　According to experts from the on-site rescue command center, the search and rescue area has initially been divided into three zones. The first zone is about 15 to 20 meters from the safety line. "This zone was designated mainly based on accounts from survivors; beneath the landslide debris in this area, a pickup truck and a minivan are buried."

 

　　The expert said that about 70 meters from the safety line is the second key search and rescue zone, which is the dormitory and office area for technical and management personnel of Wuzhou Mining, where the buried people are relatively concentrated. In addition, the landslide area near the mountain is the third key search and rescue zone, which is the workers' dormitory area, where the buried people are also relatively concentrated. "Of course, it cannot be ruled out that workers who ran down the gully when the landslide occurred were buried in other areas." The expert said that people buried in other areas may all be concentrated along the buried cement road.

 

　　Landslide mass and surrounding mountains unstable, rescue conducted at risk

 

　　At the rescue site yesterday, because the surrounding mountains occasionally shifted, rescue work was intermittent to ensure the safety of rescue personnel. "Mainly due to the shifting of the surrounding mountains, plus the boulders hanging above the landslide mass that could roll down at any time, the clearing work has advanced slowly," said a armed police soldier.

 

　　"The mountains on both sides of the landslide mass, especially the left side, show signs of active movement, seriously affecting the emergency rescue work." Chen Jun, chief engineer of the Second General Corps of the Armed Police Transport Force, said that the main difficulties facing the rescue work are that the landslide mass and surrounding mountains are constantly changing, which may lead to secondary collapses; the volume of earth and rock in the landslide area is too large and the soil layer is too thick; and when clearing the accumulated soil, possible remains of missing persons must be protected at all times, so excavation must be carried out with extra care.

 

　　Shovels and hand digging used to preserve bodies intact

 

　　At around 3:30 p.m. yesterday, the atmosphere at the rescue site suddenly became tense. A search dog detected something unusual near the first key search and rescue zone, and rescue personnel carried out a focused inspection in the area. Soon they found a severely deformed buried pickup truck under the soil layer, and after further clearing, found the body of a missing person.

 

　　"Starting at 2 p.m., in the area where the pickup truck was found, we stopped mechanical operations. To preserve the integrity of the body, clearing was changed to shovels and hand digging, and it was not until around 5 p.m. that the body of the missing person was fully excavated," said Wang Ping, head of the Shangluo Detachment of the Shaanxi Armed Police Corps. Shortly after finding the first missing person's body, they found another missing person's body nearby.

 

　　Rescue personnel also found belongings of the missing persons at the site, including mobile phones and clothing. It was confirmed that the two victims were one man and one woman. As of 11 p.m. last night when the reporter filed the story, 9 bodies of missing persons had been recovered at the rescue site.

 

　　Rain expected in Shanyang today may affect rescue

 

　　In recent days, the Shanyang landslide accident has continued to weigh on everyone's hearts. The reporter learned from the meteorological department that as the weather turns cloudy and rain arrives, it may adversely affect the rescue. According to the meteorological observatory, during the day today, Shanyang will see rainy weather, with temperatures around 19-27°C, and the rain may have some impact on the rescue work.

 

　　Xue Chunfang, deputy director of the Shaanxi Provincial Meteorological Bureau, said that from today to the 19th, the accident site will experience a light to moderate rain weather process. The disaster relief command department is reminded to watch for possible barrier lakes on the one hand, and on the other hand to pay attention to secondary disasters such as mudslides and landslides that may be triggered by heavy precipitation.

 

　　Today and tomorrow, affected by the combined influence of warm, humid air on the periphery of the subtropical high and cold air, most areas of Shaanxi will continue to see precipitation, with stronger precipitation in southern Shaanxi, where heavy to torrential rain will occur. Local authorities are reminded to take preventive measures.