The Ministry of Natural Resources of China has initiated a Level III emergency response for geological disaster prevention and control in Gansu Province.

This action follows a significant landslide that occurred in a forested area of Dangchang County, Longnan City, Gansu Province, on July 7, which resulted in multiple individuals being buried.

According to the Ministry's established emergency response protocols for geological disaster defense, the Level III response was officially activated at 9:00 AM on July 7.

Concurrently, the Ministry has dispatched a working group to the site to provide on-the-ground guidance for emergency rescue and relief operations.

The Ministry has directed the Department of Natural Resources of Gansu Province to immediately send a team of experts to the location to assist local authorities with personnel search and rescue efforts, as well as to provide technical support during the emergency response phase.

Furthermore, the provincial department is instructed to conduct comprehensive inspections and monitoring for similar geological hazards, implement early warning systems, and enhance preparedness and response measures based on this incident.

The Ministry has also requested that the China Geological Survey and its Technical Guidance Center for Geological Disasters intensify expert deployment, coordination, consultation, and analysis to fully support and guide the technical aspects of the response efforts.