A huge landslide has crashed down near a viewing platform crammed with tourists.
Hundreds of visitors scrambled for their lives as the massive rockfall smashed into the river just metres from the packed viewing area.
Huge boulders thundered down the steep cliffs in two waves yesterday morning (30 Jul).
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Dust clouds billowed across the canyon as the ground shook and rocks slammed into the waters below.
Staff members blew emergency whistles as visitors fled in panic.
The drama unfolded at Tiger Leaping Gorge in Shangri-La in Yunnan Province, China, at around 9.16am.
One tourist, Mrs Wang, said she first spotted a small landslip in the distance.
Minutes later, as she reached the best viewpoint for photos, staff ordered everyone to clear the area.
“We hadn’t walked a few steps when we heard a very loud sound and staff started blowing whistles,” she said.
Witness Mr Li, watching from the opposite side, said: “I felt the ground shaking.
“The sound of stones falling into the water was particularly loud.”
Tourists fled as the second, bigger collapse sent giant rocks cascading down.
The main fall hit less than a metre from the scenic area entrance, right beside the viewing platform.
Some estimates put the number of tourists on the paths at between 100 and 200.
Officials confirmed the rockfall struck an unmanned zone outside the tourist area.
Core paths and buildings stayed intact and no one was reported as injured.
Continuous overnight rain then raised fresh fears.
Slopes along some routes grew less stable, raising the risk of further falls or slides.
The operator ordered a full temporary shutdown from 8am today, as reported by Need To Know.
Plans to reopen will be announced later.
Local meteorologists rated the geological disaster risk at level three – higher than normal – with more showers expected.
Unstable mountains make rockfalls more common after heavy summer rains in the area.
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