Recent heavy rain in Linjiang City, Jilin Province, triggered mudslides, sweeping away the director of the Linjiang City Public Security Bureau, Xia Kun, and his driver. Their whereabouts remain unknown. Reports suggest Xia Kun was involved in “flood prevention and disaster relief” efforts at the time of the incident, although data shows he was responsible for “stability maintenance” work in the local area.
According to CCTV news, on the evening of July 24, heavy rainfall in certain areas of Linjiang City led to flash floods and geological disasters. Xia Kun, deputy mayor of Linjiang City and director of the Public Security Bureau, along with five others, encountered danger. While three were rescued, Xia Kun and auxiliary police officer Li Xiangshen remain missing. Rescue efforts are ongoing.
Earlier, Xinhua News Agency reported that at 17:00 on July 24, Naozhi Town in Linjiang City experienced heavy rainfall, accumulating 96.8 millimeters in just two hours. At 18:20 on July 24, a mudslide occurred in Xujia Gou, Yihedian Village, Naozhi Town, Linjiang City, along Provincial Road S204, resulting in two individuals going missing in the water.
The official statement claimed that Xia Kun encountered danger during “flood prevention and disaster relief” operations, while the New Beijing News reported that it happened during “onsite flood control deployment.” However, public information shows that as a deputy mayor, Xia Kun was not in charge of tasks related to “flood prevention and disaster relief,” but instead focused on public stability matters.
According to the official Linjiang City government website, Xia Kun ranks third among six deputy mayors and is responsible for assisting the mayor in overseeing public security, justice, legal affairs, and petition work. His responsibilities include oversight of the Municipal Public Security Bureau (Traffic Management Brigade, Border Management Brigade, Armed Police Squadron), Municipal Justice Bureau, and Municipal Petition Bureau. He also liaises with the Municipal Court, Municipal Procuratorate, Municipal Armed Forces, Border Defense Brigade, Radar Unit, Communication Regiment, and Municipal National Security Bureau.