Memorial services were held on Tuesday morning in Gyirong County in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region for victims of the devastating Aug 26 mudslide, as rescue operations continued for hundreds of people still missing.
The disaster struck Gyirong Port, a major land crossing on the China-Nepal border, after a fast-moving chain mudslide triggered by a high-altitude glacier collapse on the Nepali side swept into the area.
According to the latest figures released by the regional government, 16 people had been confirmed dead while 546 remained missing as of 6pm on Saturday.
The scale of the disaster has prompted an extensive search and relief operation in the mountainous border region, where difficult terrain, steep valleys and unstable weather have complicated efforts to reach affected areas.
Rescue teams have been carrying out searches for missing people while clearing mud and debris from roads, identifying potential geological hazards and working to restore damaged access routes. Authorities have also undertaken disinfection and epidemic-prevention measures in affected areas.
The mudslide caused extensive disruption around Gyirong Port, initially cutting roads leading to the crossing as well as communications and electricity supplies.
Chinese authorities activated emergency measures following the disaster, with the Ministry of Natural Resources launching a Level-II emergency response for geological disasters and sending a team to the affected area to support rescue operations and assess the risk of secondary disasters.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had earlier ordered all-out efforts to search for those missing, evacuate people considered at risk and provide medical treatment to the injured.
Xi also called for strengthened monitoring and early-warning measures, scientifically organised rescue operations and precautions against secondary disasters as emergency teams responded to the catastrophe.
Gyirong Port is an important land gateway between China and Nepal, giving the disaster significance beyond the immediate humanitarian emergency as authorities work to restore transport and other infrastructure in the border region.
