Memorials to mourn victims of mudslide

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Residents and rescue workers in Tibet held a three-minute silence to honor victims of a massive mudslide triggered by a glacier collapse at the China-Nepal border, which has left over 1,000 people dead or missing. Chinese and Nepalese authorities are continuing rescue and identification efforts while monitoring unstable barrier lakes that pose ongoing flood risks in the region.

Residents and rescue workers in the Tibet Autonomous Region observed a three-minute moment of silence on Tuesday morning to honor the victims of last week’s devastating mudslide. Sirens sounded at 9:55 a.m. local time at the Gyirong Port police station, with similar commemorations held at rescue sites and along reopened roads across the region, according to Chinese state media.

The disaster followed the collapse of a glacier at Langtang Lirung on the Nepalese side of the China-Nepal border last Wednesday, triggering a mudslide that swept through a valley, inundating Gyirong Port with debris before flowing back into Nepal. More than 1,000 people have been confirmed dead or remain missing as rescue efforts continue in the affected areas.

By 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 1,058 bodies had been recovered in Nepal, while 4,606 individuals were still unaccounted for, Nepalese authorities reported. On China’s side, officials confirmed 16 deaths and 546 missing persons, including 261 foreign nationals. Nepalese authorities have also reported that over 500 foreigners are among the missing in Nepal.

Among those unaccounted for is an Australian citizen feared missing, who reportedly contacted Australian officials from Tibet on Monday, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The individual is receiving consular assistance and has been in communication with family members, although further details have not been disclosed.

As Nepalese officials collect DNA samples to aid in victim identification, China has pledged to deploy DNA specialists to assist with the effort. Additionally, China’s foreign ministry announced the delivery of a second batch of humanitarian aid to Nepal, including drones, DNA testing equipment, water purification devices, and lighting apparatus.

The remembrance occurred amid warnings from China’s Ministry of Water Resources about the ongoing risk of further glacier collapses in the region. Officials also expressed concern over the formation of barrier lakes caused by landslides blocking river channels, which could lead to sudden flooding if the natural dams were to breach.

One such barrier lake formed on the Purepuqiang River near Gyirong Port, where water levels have reportedly fallen, reducing immediate flood risks. Emergency teams continue to monitor these lakes for potential instability. Ministry official Yang Dan cautioned that in the event of rising water levels or seismic activity, these loosely structured natural dams could fail, releasing destructive floods downstream.

The disaster disrupted power, communications, and transportation links in the affected area, but rescue operations have made progress. By Tuesday, repair crews had cleared sections of national highway G216 within 800 meters of Gyirong Port. Power restoration efforts are underway along reopened highway segments.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.