Landslide Near Tibet-Nepal Border Causes Casualties, Cuts Roads and Communications

A massive landslide near the border between China's Tibet Autonomous Region and Nepal has resulted in significant casualties, prompting local authorities to launch an emergency response by dispatching hundreds of rescue personnel to the scene.

Chinese state media Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television (CCTV) reported on the 26th that a landslide originating from the Nepal side occurred at around 10:30 a.m. today, causing multiple casualties and missing persons at the Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Xigaze, Tibet.

However, authorities have not yet released specific figures for deaths, injuries, or missing persons as of this afternoon.

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

In the aftermath, roads, communications, and power grids leading to the affected area have all been cut off. For safety reasons, authorities have decided to completely close the road from Gyirong toward the Nepal border in both directions for seven days starting today.

Authorities dispatched experts to the scene this afternoon to support rescue operations and prevent secondary disasters as part of the emergency response.

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

Separately, China AnNeng, a state-owned enterprise specializing in disaster relief and infrastructure construction, organized a 200-member team consisting of geological, engineering, and rescue experts as well as rescue personnel.

Local media reported that they headed to the affected area equipped with 120 pieces of heavy engineering rescue equipment, including multi-functional reconnaissance drones, 3D laser scanners, and life detectors, while a second batch of 100 rescue workers is preparing for additional deployment.

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

According to reports, as of 5:00 p.m. today, the Tibet Military Command has dispatched a forward command team and emergency rescue troops to the site, and about 130 personnel and engineering equipment from the Xigaze Military Sub-command are ready for dispatch.

About 140 officers and soldiers from the Xigaze detachment of the Tibet Armed Police Corps also headed to the site equipped with professional disaster relief gear.

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

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

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

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

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

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