Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Mudslide Death Toll Reaches 43 as Families Seek Answers
A huge rush of water, mud and rocks swept across a border crossing between China and Nepal.
The disaster happened on August 26 after a glacier broke apart on the Nepalese side.
Rescuers in China found 12 more bodies on Sunday.
This brings the confirmed death toll on the Chinese side to 43.
However, 519 people there are still missing.
Many of the missing people were foreigners, including 49 Indians.
Workers are using machines, shovels and radar to search through the mud.
They are also using fingerprints, tattoos and personal belongings to identify victims.
Families and diplomats want China to provide more information, while Chinese officials say they have responded openly and quickly.
Twelve additional bodies were found at Gyirong Port, bringing the confirmed Chinese-side death toll to 43.
Rescuers are still searching the buried border crossing, where 519 people remain missing, including 261 foreigners from 23 countries.
The August 26 disaster destroyed a customs building, border gate and much of the former trading town.
Families and diplomats say China has shared too little information about DNA testing, video footage and victim identification.
China says its response has been open and rapid, and says the glacier collapse occurred on Nepal’s side of the border.
- Who
- Rescue workers, families and diplomats are involved; 43 people are confirmed dead on the Chinese side and 519 remain missing.
- What
- A glacier-related mudslide destroyed the Gyirong border crossing and caused mass deaths and disappearances.
- When
- The disaster occurred on August 26; 12 additional bodies were reported found on Sunday.
- Where
- Gyirong Port on the China-Nepal border, in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
- Why
- A glacier broke apart on the Nepalese side, sending water, mud and debris across the border; the disaster’s warning and information handling are disputed.
Families and Diplomats
Chinese Officials
Information sharing
Families and Diplomats
Families and representatives from four governments say China has provided too little information about DNA testing and whether crossing footage can be shared or used for identification.
Chinese Officials
China’s foreign ministry says its handling of information about the disaster has been open and quick, and that it is willing to cooperate with other countries and agencies.
Warning and responsibility
Families and Diplomats
The lack of warning and uncertainty over what happened at the crossing have intensified concern among families and diplomats.
Chinese Officials
China rejects claims that it could have provided more warning, saying the glacier collapse occurred on Nepal’s side and that stronger international monitoring and early-warning cooperation is needed.
Future of the crossing
Families and Diplomats
The destruction of the customs building, border gate and trading area has left families and communities facing major uncertainty about the route’s future.
Chinese Officials
Chinese officials say they will consider whether to rebuild the crossing in a different way after the disaster.
- Confirmed Chinese-side deaths
- 43
- Missing on Chinese side
- 519
- Foreign nationals among missing
- 261 people from 23 countries
- Indian nationals among missing
- 49
- Personal items recovered
- 993
- Former crossing
- Gyirong was a major China-Nepal trading and pilgrimage route
- Identification methods
- Fingerprints, tattoos and DNA testing