Rescuers and technicians are continuing their search for the missing in the hardest-hit areas of Gyirong Port on the China-Nepal border in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
The deadly mudslide, triggered by the collapse of a high-altitude glacier on the Nepalese side, has left at least 16 people dead and 546 others missing in Gyirong, according to the regional government.
On Sunday afternoon, firefighters from the Xizang General Brigade of China's national comprehensive fire and rescue team joined the search with sniffer dogs, working alongside other rescue teams to locate those still accounted for.
At approximately 10:00 on Monday, firefighters, equipped with shovels and spades, conducted a shallow search in the core disaster area of the mudslide at Gyirong Port, along the border towards the upstream direction of the Gyirong Tsangpo River.
Two rescuers discovered baby supplies and trousers during their search, and used equipment such as human trace gas analyzers and enhanced radar life detectors to carefully investigate the surrounding environment and search for the missing people. On Sunday, members of the Immigration Management Emergency Rescue Team, carrying life detectors, drones, satellite phones, first-aid supplies, climbing ropes, escape boards, and other equipment, joined forces with firefighters and landed at the core disaster area of Gyirong Port by a military helicopter. They conducted a thorough search and rescue operation near the port's joint inspection building.
Rescuers continue search efforts at mudslide-stricken Gyirong Port
Rescuers continue search efforts at mudslide-stricken Gyirong Port
More rescue teams and relief supplies have been rushed to the hardest-hit area after a devastating mudslide, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche in Nepal, hit the border port of Gyirong in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
The disaster, which occurred on Aug 26, has killed 16 people and left 546 others missing as of 18:00 Saturday, according to a press conference held by the information office of the regional government on Sunday.
At a State Council executive meeting on Monday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged all-out efforts to search for the missing and called for the coordinated deployment of all available rescue forces.
He stressed the need to strengthen monitoring and early warning systems to prevent secondary disasters, and called for proper follow-up arrangements, including enhanced humanitarian care for families of the deceased and missing, as well as compensation and relief assistance.
Li also emphasized the importance of international coordination and the timely release of authoritative information to address public concerns.
At the hardest-hit area of Gyirong Port, high-altitude emergency rescue helicopters were dispatched in multiple waves on Monday to transport rescue personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and health and epidemic prevention teams, along with equipment and supplies for further search operations.
On the G216 national highway, the main route leading to the port, road clearance crews have pushed into the final bend of the damaged section, advancing to within about one kilometer of the hardest-hit area as of 17:00 on Monday.
Communication signals at Gyirong Port have been restored to support rescue and relief coordination.
A preliminary risk assessment of the mudslide zone has identified eight high-risk geological hazard points, and relevant authorities are conducting follow-up monitoring.
More rescuers, supplies sent to mudslide-hit area in Xizang
