Rescue workers have pushed road-clearing operations to the core disaster area of the mudslide-hit Gyirong Port in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, after days of round-the-clock work through heavy rain and treacherous terrain along the damaged G216 highway.
The deadly mudslide, which was triggered by the collapse of a high-altitude glacier on the Nepalese side of the border with China last Wednesday, has left at least 16 people dead and 546 others missing in Gyirong, according to the Xizang regional government.
By 00:33 Wednesday, the front line of road construction had reached the mudslide epicenter near the port, allowing rescue personnel to enter the worst-hit area overland for search operations. Heavy machinery was seen working under floodlights, with drones providing aerial lighting as rain intensified in the valley.
Earlier at around 21:00 Tuesday, rescuers had focused on a key bottleneck, a waterlogged stretch of about 50 meters had blocked the route. Workers dumped sand and gravel into the flooded section to create a passable path.
Despite worsening conditions, with rain continuing to fall through the night, heavy machinery operated continuously to expand the cleared section and enable deeper search efforts. The operation remains ongoing.
Rescuers push through overnight rain to open last section of Gyirong highway
U.S. forces on Tuesday launched fresh strikes on targets of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran, marking a renewed escalation in hostilities between Washington and Tehran.
If Iran "retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level," U.S. President Donald Trump warned in a post on Truth Social, describing the new strikes near the Strait of Hormuz as "large and powerful."
"But it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran!" Trump threatened in the post.
Trump's remarks came shortly after the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced fresh strikes on IRGC targets at 12:00 Eastern Time (1600 GMT).
According to the CENTCOM, U.S. forces struck IRGC targets including air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets and facilities, mine laying capabilities, and communications sites.
The strikes were after recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against the U.S. service members, said the CENTCOM.
According to the CENTCOM, more than 50,000 U.S. service members are currently operating across the Middle East and remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to continue executing operations directed by the Commander in Chief.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said Tuesday night it has started strikes against U.S. bases and assets in the region in retaliation for U.S. attacks against southern Iranian provinces earlier in the day, which killed at least five and wounded over 50 others.
In a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC said its "regret-inducing response against the aggressors" have begun, noting its air defense had shot down a "hostile" U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone.
Its aerospace forces also launched ballistic missile and drone strikes on Camp Titin in Jordan and Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, reportedly killing "a large number of" U.S. troops and destroying several key facilities and combat helicopters.
The IRGC said the attacks are in response to the United States bombing a number of civilian places in Iran's southern coasts "out of desperation" and in retaliation for the U.S. "criminal" and deadly attack on a wedding ceremony in Hormozgan province.
Explosions were heard Tuesday in the Iranian port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik, and on Qeshm Island, according to reports. The IRGC stated early Wednesday local time that at least two people were killed and 20 others were injured on Tuesday night in a U.S. strike targeting a wedding ceremony in Iran's southern Sirik County in Hormozgan province.
U.S. launches fresh strikes on Iran as Trump warns of more attacks
