Rescue operations continue at the Gyirong Port border crossing following a catastrophic mudslide triggered by a glacier collapse in Nepal on August 26. The disaster sent a massive mudflow and flood rushing 22 kilometers in seven minutes, devastating the port area where China and Nepal meet.
Seven days after the event, recovery teams remain on site amid challenging conditions marked by thick mud, falling rocks, torrential rain, unstable terrain, and the threat of secondary flooding from breached dams. The border crossing's 20-meter building, which had withstood prior floods and earthquakes, was completely destroyed.
Gui Xinwei, deputy chief of the Gyirong Border Inspection Station, described returning to the site as a surreal experience, noting the stark transformation of a location where he had worked for over 20 years. As rescue workers sift through debris, they recover personal belongings such as clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, phone cases, and charging cables, underscoring the human toll of the disaster.
Firefighter Yang Qiqiao from Shigatse was among the first responders to reach the remote site, after a difficult 12-hour trek through rugged, rain-soaked mountainous terrain. Upon arrival, rescuers combed through mud up to one meter deep, calling out for survivors, but heard only silence. Conditions forced them to seek shelter in caves for two nights and evacuate temporarily due to renewed flooding risks.
Despite slim hopes of finding survivors, rescue teams continue their search, also focusing on recovering personal effects that may aid identification. Among recent finds was an immigration police officer’s vest, a discovery that deeply affected officials involved in the response.
Access to the disaster zone was hampered by a 1.8-kilometer stretch of the G216 road buried under debris. A dedicated crew of engineers and construction workers labored to clear the route, operating in a precarious corridor bounded by unstable cliffs and swift floodwaters. For safety, excavator operators removed cab doors, wore life vests, and were equipped with escape ladders. The road was reopened on September 2, enabling heavy machinery to enter the area.
As of September 7, Chinese authorities reported 43 confirmed deaths and 519 individuals missing, including 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries. Nearly 1,000 personal items have been retrieved from the site, with more than 60 forensic experts working in three laboratories to assist with victim identification. On the Nepalese side, officials reported a death toll of 1,355 and 4,996 people missing. The ongoing search highlights the extensive human impact and the difficulties faced in responding to such a sudden, devastating natural disaster.