China's State Council launches investigation into Chongqing mountain collapse

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council on Tuesday announced the formation of a team to investigate and assess a deadly mountain collapse that occurred on July 17 in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

The team is led by the Ministry of Emergency Management and includes authorities such as the Ministry of Natural Resources, the China Meteorological Administration and the Chongqing municipal government.

According to the team's first plenary meeting held on Tuesday, it is tasked with conducting a comprehensive and objective review of the collapse, determining its cause, and examining the entire disaster response process.

The meeting also urged relevant authorities nationwide to identify and eliminate geological disaster risks, strengthen monitoring and early-warning efforts, and safeguard people's lives and property.

As of July 30, the mountain collapse had killed 51 people and caused the evacuation of more than 1,100 local residents. Ten people were missing.

Efforts are underway to help those affected resume normal life and production and advance post-disaster reconstruction.