BEIJING, China: Search and rescue teams in China's southwestern Sichuan province are scrambling to locate 28 missing people after a massive landslide buried homes and a factory building, leaving one confirmed dead.

The disaster struck Jinping village in Junlian county on February 8, with heavy rains and unstable geological conditions triggering the collapse. Nearly 1,000 personnel have been deployed to aid in the rescue efforts, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Emergency crews are combing through debris, assisted by drones and life-detection radars, while local residents familiar with the area provide guidance. Authorities confirmed that two injured people were pulled from the rubble, and around 360 others were safely evacuated.

At a Sunday news conference, officials explained that the landslide evolved into a debris flow stretching 1.2 kilometers (more than half a mile) and carrying more than 100,000 cubic meters (3.5 million cubic feet) of earth and debris—an area roughly the size of 16 football fields.

Rescue operations face severe challenges, as continuous rainfall and additional landslides threaten both rescuers and survivors. The unstable terrain makes excavation dangerous, and authorities are closely monitoring slopes for further collapses.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong arrived at the disaster site to oversee operations and visit affected residents, according to Xinhua News Agency.

"The surrounding slopes still pose collapse risks," Liu cautioned, urging a scientific assessment of conditions to prevent another catastrophe.

The Chinese government has allocated 80 million yuan (about $11 million) for relief efforts and reconstruction.

Landslides, often triggered by heavy rain or unsafe construction, are a recurring threat in China. In 2023, a landslide in Yunnan province killed dozens, highlighting the ongoing risks in mountainous regions.

Authorities remain focused on locating the missing and ensuring safety as the region braces for more rain in the coming days.