2008 Shanxi mudslide

History

The ore reservoir was built in the 1980s, halfway up a mountain, about 50 meters above an office building, marketplace and some residences. It was built only 100 meters away from the nearest residence. The reservoir was supposedly decommissioned a few years later, but its new owner, Zhang Peiliang, put it back into use when he took over the company in 2005. In 2006, the Tashan Mining Company did not renew its safety production license, and in 2007, the mining license of Zhang also expired.

Damages and casualties

The entire village of Yunhe was inundated by the mudslide, including an outdoor market crowded with customers. As of September 24, the Chinese state media reported that the death toll was 267, and the number of injuries 34. Only 128 bodies, mostly of locals, have been identified. Some 268,000 cubic meters of mudslide sludge flooded over an area of 30.2 hectares in the disaster, and the mud was up to six meters deep in some parts.

The final official count is: 277 dead, 4 missing and 33 injured.

A worker had said "It's not because of the rain. It wasn't a natural disaster, it was man-made." Up to 500 people may still be buried, according to the Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.

Rescue efforts

5,300 police and rescuers, using more than 110 excavators, were looking for survivors. The rescuers covered about 90% of the mudslide zone so far. In addition, 2,100 medical workers were at the site to provide medical care.

Aftermath

1,047 people were displaced because of the mudslide. The State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) said that an investigation is pending, and that the people responsible would be "punished in line with the relevant laws." Meng Xuenong, Governor of Shanxi, resigned a day after the event, on September 14. Wang Jun was subsequently transferred to become Governor of Shanxi.

In September 2010, 58 people, including 34 former government officials, were handed out sentences in relation to the collapse.

References

References

1. link. Xinhua New Agency. (2009-06-27)
2. Bradsher, Keith. (2008-09-12). "Death toll rises from mud flow in Chinese village". [[International Herald Tribune]].
3. (2008-09-12). "Shanxi mudslide, accident of grave responsibility". [[Xinhua News Agency]] via [[China Internet Information Center]].
4. (2008-09-12). "'Arrests' after China landslide". [[BBC]].
5. Wang, Ru. (2008-09-12). "Search for mudslide victims on". [[China Daily]].
6. (2008-09-24). "Mudslide Death Toll Rose to 267". [[Xinhuanet]].
7. (2008-09-13). "North China mud-rock flow death toll rises to 254". Xinhua.
8. (2008-09-12). "China mud-rock flow death toll rises to 178". [[Xinhua News Agency]].
9. Branigan, Tania. (2008-09-10). "'Negligence, not rain' caused deadly China mudslide". [[The Guardian]].
10. (2008-09-10). "56 dead after mudslide sweeps through Chinese town: state media". AFP.
11. Peng, James. (2008-09-13). "Rescuers Dig for China Mudslide Survivors; 178 Confirmed Dead". Bloomberg.
12. (2008-09-12). "Deathtoll from China mudslide climbs to 178". [[Reuters]].
13. Leow, Jason. (2008-09-13). "China Suspends Officials in Mine Disaster". [[The Wall Street Journal]].
14. (2008-09-12). "N China mud-rock flow death toll rises to 151". Chinaview.
15. (2008-09-14). "Meng Xuenong Resigns". [[Xinhua News Agency]].
16. Xinhua. (September 30, 2010). "58 Receive Penalties over Fatal Landslide in China".