Xizang authorities confirm 261 foreign nationals missing in border mudslide

A total of 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries were confirmed missing in the massive mudslide that struck Gyirong Port on the China-Nepal border on August 26, according to an official briefing held by the emergency response and rescue headquarters for the disaster in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Sunday.

At a press conference attended by domestic and international media, Ren Wei, executive deputy commander of the headquarters and vice chairman of the Xizang people's government, provided a detailed update on the rescue operation and cross-border coordination efforts.

"Through repeated checks and verification, 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries, have been confirmed missing in the disaster. Relevant information has been duly notified to the embassies of the concerned countries in China through diplomatic channels. A 24-hour hotline for the families of missing foreign nationals has been opened, which has received a total of 509 calls to date, timely providing information to these families. A communication and information-sharing mechanism with the countries concerned has been set up," the official said.

"Through the China-Nepal disaster prevention and information-sharing mechanism, daily updates on meteorology, hydrology, glaciers, and glacial lakes have been provided to Nepal. At the request of Nepal, the Chinese government has sent experts in tunnel rescue and DNA identification to the country, with emergency supplies. The government of Xizang Autonomous Region has also donated 320 tons of relief materials, including Bailey bridge components, to Nepal," said Ren.

According to the press conference, 43 people had been confirmed dead and 519 others remained missing as of 18:00 on Saturday.

Xizang authorities confirm 261 foreign nationals missing in border mudslide

International media on Saturday and Sunday visited the core disaster area of mudslide-hit Gyirong Port on the China-Nepal border in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.

The reporters from the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Brazil among other countries and regions visited the area and learned about the disaster situation, ongoing rescue operations, and progress in recovery and reconstruction.

"China has this particular the capacity to address this kind of crisis. You have thousands of workers trained for this and you have machines made for this kind of efforts. And of course, our heart goes to them for the kind of work they are putting," said KJM Varma Mokanda, a reporter from Press Trust of India.

The mudslide, triggered by a high-altitude glacier collapse in Nepal on Aug 26, had left 43 people dead and 519 others missing at the border port as of 18:00 Saturday, the emergency response and rescue headquarters told a press conference on Sunday.

As of 18:00 Saturday, more than 2,500 people and over 500 vehicles had been deployed for the rescue, and more than 1,000 flights of drones had air-dropped 5.43 tons of supplies, officials said at the press conference.

International media visit mudslide-hit Gyirong Port