China-Nepal border flood leaves at least 160 dead, over 1,000 missing

A massive mudslide and flash flood struck the Gyirong Port area along the China-Nepal border on Wednesday, leaving at least 160 people dead on both sides of the frontier and more than 1,000 others missing. Search operations have been extended across both sides of the border.

According to the latest official information released during a press conference held by the Shigatse municipal government on Thursday morning, three fatalities have been confirmed on the Chinese side, whilst 558 people remain missing.

Two individuals were rescued alive. Following the expansion of search operations, the number of missing persons was revised upwards from an earlier figure of 265.

Chinese authorities have dispatched more than 1,500 personnel to the region, including firefighters, military troops, and engineering teams. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has also arrived at the scene to direct operations.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, a landslide dam lake has formed near the border crossing, complicating rescue efforts.

Nepal Police reported late Wednesday that 157 bodies had been recovered.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister of Nepal, the 484 missing tourists include 391 foreign nationals from at least 26 countries. These comprise 142 citizens from India, 47 from the US, 34 from Australia, 33 from the UK, and 24 from Canada.

Nepal Tourism Board spokesperson Sunil Sharma told the Associated Press that 133 of the missing tourists were Indian pilgrims.

The disaster struck Gyirong County in the Tibetan city of Shigatse at around 10:30 on Wednesday and originated on the Nepalese side.

The region is situated along an important pilgrimage route leading to Tibet’s sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Particularly during this peak period of the year, hundreds of pilgrims from India and other countries visit the area.

Initial assessments by Nepalese authorities indicated that an earthquake may have triggered a collapse in the lower section of a glacier, releasing the destructive floodwaters.