Landslide Near China-Nepal Border in Tibet Causes Casualties, Severing Roads and Communications

Local authorities in China have launched an emergency response, deploying hundreds of rescue workers, following a massive landslide near the border between Tibet and Nepal that resulted in significant casualties.

Chinese state media, including Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television (CCTV), reported that a landslide occurred on the Nepal side at around 10:30 a.m. today, causing numerous casualties and missing persons at the Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Xigaze, Tibet Autonomous Region.

However, authorities have not yet released the specific numbers of deaths, injuries, and missing persons as of this afternoon.

Regarding the cause of the accident, China's Ministry of Natural Resources explained that an avalanche, presumed to have originated on the Nepal side, may have triggered a major cascading disaster.

In the aftermath, roads, communication networks, and power grids leading to the affected area have been completely cut off. Authorities decided to fully close roads in both directions from Gyirong toward the Nepal border for seven days starting today for safety reasons.

This afternoon, authorities dispatched experts to the scene to support rescue operations and prevent secondary disasters, initiating an emergency response.

China's Ministry of Emergency Management urgently dispatched 249 national comprehensive fire and rescue personnel and 325 professional rescue workers, along with communication and aero-magnetic exploration equipment to restore site communications and conduct rescue operations.

Separately, China Anneng, a state-owned enterprise specializing in disaster relief and infrastructure construction, organized a team of about 200 personnel, including geology, engineering, and rescue experts as well as rescue workers.

Local media reported that they headed to the affected area accompanied by 120 pieces of heavy engineering rescue equipment, including multi-functional reconnaissance drones, 3D laser scanners, and life detectors, while preparations are underway to deploy an additional 100 backup rescue workers.

The Chinese military and armed police have also entered rescue operations.

According to reports, as of 5:00 p.m. today, the Tibet Military Command sent a forward command team and emergency rescue troops to the site, and about 130 troops and engineering equipment belonging to the Xigaze Military Sub-command have completed preparations for deployment.

About 140 officers and soldiers from the Xigaze detachment of the People's Armed Police Tibet Corps also headed to the scene equipped with specialized disaster relief equipment.

China has decided to commit a total of 220 million yuan (approx. 45.3 billion won) to the crisis so far, with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management jointly allocating 120 million yuan (approx. 24.7 billion won) in central natural disaster relief funds today, and the National Development and Reform Commission allocating an additional 100 million yuan (approx. 20.6 billion won) from the central budget.

Along with this, relevant authorities urgently provided 30,000 central government relief items to Tibet, including tents, heaters, clothing and bedding, folding beds, and moisture-proof mats.

Following the accident, Chinese President Xi Jinping instructed that all-out efforts be made to minimize casualties through an all-out response.

Xi emphasized the need to "strengthen monitoring and early warning, focus on scientific rescue, and prevent secondary disasters," while stressing the prevention of major disasters and accidents through inspections and rectifications.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also instructed authorities to quickly ascertain the number of missing and affected people and mobilize rescue capabilities to conduct emergency rescue operations, while ordering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen communication and coordination with related countries.

(Photo: CCTV Capture, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.