Two people are known to have died and missing after a landslide struck a hotel in Hubei Province, China on Friday 20 January 2016. About 3000 m² of rock, soil and other material slumped onto the three story Mirage Hotel in Nanzhang County at about 7.30 pm local time, causing the building to collapse and trapping fifteen people in the building, five people have since been pulled from the site, two of whom subsequently died in hospital.
Rescue workers at the Mitage Hotel in Hubei following a landslide on 20 January 2017. Peoples Daily.
Hubei province is noted for a large number of landslides, but these are generally associated with the summer monsoon. Landslides
are a common problem after severe weather events, as excess pore water
pressure can overcome cohesion in soil and sediments, allowing them to
flow like liquids. Approximately 90% of all landslides are caused by
heavy rainfall. However this landslide occurred in the drier winter months, and does not appear to be related to any extreme weather events, and its cause is being investigated by local authorities.
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