Nepal-China Flash Flood: 558 People Reported Missing

The number of people missing following a devastating mudslide near the Gyirong (Jilong) border crossing, which connects China and Nepal, has reportedly risen sharply. According to the latest report from China Central Television (CCTV), 558 people are now declared missing.

The figure represents a significant increase from the previous report of 265 missing. Of the 558 people yet to be found, 260 are reported to be foreign nationals. Authorities are still carrying out in-depth data collection and verification of the victims’ identities.

In addition to the hundreds missing, official reports also confirm three people have died as a result of the disaster. The death toll remains unchanged from the initial report released shortly after the incident.

The Xinhua news agency reported that the large-scale mudslide originated in Nepal on Wednesday morning (26/8). The debris then swept through the area around the Gyirong (Jilong) border crossing, located in the Tibet autonomous region of Shigatse on the China-Nepal border.

Difficult terrain and the sheer scale of the landslide pose major challenges to search and rescue efforts. Authorities in both countries continue to coordinate their response to the disaster on one of the key trade and crossing routes in the mountainous region.

Evacuation efforts are still ongoing as security personnel and medical teams at the disaster site continue to update and verify victim data.