Chinese President Xi Jinping issued orders to carry out a search and rescue operation for the missing persons following a landslide in the Xincheng area of Yunnan Province in southwestern China.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese president issued these instructions after the landslide occurred on Monday evening.

About 18 houses were buried in Liangshui village, located in the northeast of Yunnan Province, which has a population of several thousand, due to the landslide.

Authorities initially said that 47 people were missing.

The Chinese government sent hundreds of rescue workers and soldiers to the disaster site. About 200 residents were evacuated from the area.

Xi Jinping issued orders to strengthen rescue efforts to reduce human losses.

He called for strengthening the monitoring and early warning system, as well as taking a scientific approach to search and rescue efforts to protect against secondary disasters.

The Chinese president said that natural and traffic accidents, in addition to accidents related to workplace safety regulations, occur as the Spring Festival approaches and due to the adverse effects of cold waves.

The Chinese president urged the relevant regions and departments to study potential risks, take responsibility for preventing significant human losses, and ensure the safety of lives and property.