Chinese leaders called for ‘all-out efforts’ to rescue survivors, after a landslide on Aug 12 buried the living quarters of a mining company in Shaanxi province.

About 40 people are missing after the landslide, which occurred at around 12:30 am, resulted in 1 million cubic meters of earth burying 15 dormitories and three homes at the Wuzhou mining company in Shanyang county.

President Xi Jinping immediately gave instructions, asking the authorities to do everything to search for the missing people and thus minimize the number of casualties.

President Xi also asked for efforts to prevent secondary disasters — and for assistance for the families of the missing and other disaster-affected residents.

Premier Li Keqiang requested all-out efforts to search for the missing and also to identify potential geological hazards in the area.

The Premier also asked the relevant local authorities to relocate residents affected by the landslide and also to determine the cause of the disaster.

Additionally, he asked authorities in other regions to take preventive measures against disasters and safeguard life and property.

As requested by President Xi and Premier Li, the State Council has sent a working group to Shaanxi province to guide the rescue efforts and assist affected residents.