Dramatic moments of fatal Gansu landslide
Survivors tell of 'rushing earth', rescuers explain delicate operations to extract people buried in soil
By MA JINGNA and HU YUMENG in Longnan, Gansu | China Daily | Updated: 2026-07-10 07:17
Gou Yingchun, 35, had been working in the forest for only four days when the mountainside collapsed.
Like dozens of other locals, the Rushu village resident had left home shortly after 6 am on Tuesday to prune branches in a forest in Tanchang county, Longnan, Gansu province. It was the first time she had done temporary forestry work.
When the workers arrived near the forest, they found that a small landslide had already blocked the road, preventing vehicles from going any farther.
"We thought it wasn't serious," Gou recalled. "We got out and started walking."
As the group made its way along the mountain road, Gou lingered at the back. Looking up the slope, she noticed trees swaying unnaturally. "I saw the trees moving," she told China Daily. "I knew something wasn't right."
She immediately shouted to the others to run. One young co-worker hesitated, so Gou grabbed them and pulled them forward. "I kept yelling, 'Run! Run!'"
Moments later, the mountainside gave way.
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