Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Deadly Mudslide at China-Nepal Border Leaves Hundreds Missing
A huge mudslide hit near a border crossing between China and Nepal.
The crossing is called Gyirong Port and is in Tibet.
Three deaths were reported in the Chinese border area.
Different reports gave different numbers for people who were missing, from 265 to 588.
Buildings were covered by mud, and roads, electricity and communications were damaged.
China sent rescue workers, soldiers and police to look for people and help move residents to safety.
Officials also worked to repair roads and restore power.
Floods in nearby parts of Nepal reportedly killed at least four people and damaged hydropower projects.
Indian and Chinese embassies gave advice and assistance to people affected by the disaster.
A mudslide near Gyirong Port in Tibet killed three people and left reported missing figures ranging from 265 to 588.
The disaster struck Wednesday morning after flash floods affected villages and towns near the China-Nepal border.
Drone footage showed port buildings buried by debris, while roads, communications and power supplies were disrupted.
China deployed military, police, engineering, medical and other rescue forces for searches, road clearance and evacuations.
Reports also described at least four deaths and damage to a dozen hydropower projects in two Nepalese districts, while India issued an advisory for affected nationals.
- Who
- People in the China-Nepal border region, Chinese rescue agencies, the People's Armed Police, the People's Liberation Army Western Theatre Command, and officials including Xi Jinping.
- What
- A major mudslide and flash floods caused deaths, missing people, infrastructure damage and large-scale rescue operations.
- When
- Wednesday morning; one report gave a missing-person count as of 8 p.m. that day.
- Where
- Near Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Tibet, and in Nepal's Rasuwa area and other central districts bordering Tibet.
- Why
- Rescue and relief operations were launched because the disaster caused casualties, left people missing, damaged infrastructure and created risks of further flooding and secondary disasters.
- Reported deaths in Tibet
- Three people were reported killed in the mudslide near Gyirong Port.
- Reported missing figures
- Different reports cited 265, nearly 400, and 588 people missing.
- Damage
- Buildings at the port were buried by debris, while roads, communications and power supplies were disrupted.
- Chinese rescue deployment
- China sent 145 officers and soldiers from the Xigaze detachment of the People's Armed Police; the PLA Western Theatre Command also dispatched a directing group.
- Emergency funding
- Authorities allocated 120 million yuan in natural-disaster relief funds and 100 million yuan for emergency recovery and reconstruction.
- Relief supplies
- Officials allocated 30,000 central relief supplies, including tents, clothing, quilts, folding beds and moisture-proof mats.
- Nepal impacts
- At least four people were reported killed by floods in two central Nepal districts, and at least a dozen hydropower projects were damaged.
Sources
588 missing after massive mudslide at Nepal-Tibet border: Chinese state media
Xi orders all-out rescue, relief efforts after flash floods sweep through areas near China-Nepal border
3 killed, 265 missing in mudslide in Tibet
