Chinese authorities have sanctioned 10 individuals for spreading false information online regarding a recent deadly mudslide near the Nepal border, according to a statement from the cybersecurity bureau of China’s Ministry of Public Security. The penalties, which range from fines to up to 10 days in detention, come as rescue efforts continue on both sides of the border following the disaster.

The mudslide struck the Tibetan region of China last week, devastating an area approximately 0.7 square kilometers—roughly equivalent to 98 football fields—and sweeping away entire villages. At least 16 people have been confirmed dead, with another 546 reported missing in Chinese-administered Tibet, where rescue operations remain ongoing.

Officials said the individuals punished had shared unverified claims online that exaggerated the scale of fatalities and disappearances beyond officially confirmed numbers. One person, identified only by the surname Qiu, reportedly claimed that 3,000 people were missing, contrasting with official reports of 1,400 fatalities. Another, surnamed Liu, asserted that over 3,000 people had died in China as a result of the mudslide. The specific penalties imposed on each individual were not disclosed.

Beijing has faced criticism internationally for its handling of information related to the disaster, with some alleging censorship of images and underreporting of casualties. In response, China’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that the dissemination of information has been "open, transparent and timely," cautioning against what it termed “malicious smearing and sensationalism” over the disaster.

Emergency workers are reportedly navigating challenging conditions, including high-altitude terrain, steep valleys, and unstable weather to reach affected areas. Efforts include removing mudslides from roads, conducting search and rescue missions, identifying hazards, implementing disinfection and epidemic prevention measures, and restoring infrastructure.

The extensive search continues as rescuers work to locate survivors and stabilize the region, highlighting the difficulties posed by the remote and rugged landscape where the disaster occurred.