Tibet-Nepal Landslide Toll Rises to 43 Dead, 519 Missing; China Opens Disaster Site to Foreign Media
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The death toll from the catastrophic landslide that struck the China-Nepal border region on August 26 has climbed to 43, with 519 people still missing in Tibet's Gyirong County as of Saturday evening, according to Chinese authorities . Rescue operations continue with teams conducting ground searches through the devastated area, having rescued two survivors and catalogued over 990 personal effects. The disaster has affected 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries, prompting China to activate diplomatic channels and establish hotlines for concerned families abroad .
Key Points
- The landslide occurred on August 26 at the China-Nepal border, with Tibet's Gyirong County bearing the brunt of the disaster
- As of Saturday 6pm, the official death toll reached 43 with 519 missing in Tibet; two survivors have been rescued
- Rescue teams have recovered over 990 personal items from the disaster zone and are continuing systematic searches
- 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries remain unaccounted for; China has fielded 509 hotline calls from their families
- The five-story Gyirong Port building was completely destroyed, leaving only a water tower partially standing
- China organized an international media tour with journalists from the US, UK, Russia, India, Pakistan, Singapore and Brazil
- Gyirong Port processed 14 billion yuan in goods over the past five years, accounting for 42% of Shigatse's trade value in 2025
- Nepalese police have reported 1,344 bodies recovered and 4,898 missing on their side of the border
Why It Matters
The disaster has dealt a severe blow to Gyirong Port, a critical land trade route that handled 40 million tonnes of cargo and contributed 58% of Shigatse's total foreign trade in recent years . With officials now planning assessments and feasibility studies to restore the port's functions, the incident highlights the vulnerability of vital cross-border infrastructure to climate-induced geological hazards . The large number of missing foreign nationals underscores the international dimension of this disaster and the diplomatic pressure on Beijing to maintain transparent communication with affected governments .
The disaster has dealt a severe blow to Gyirong Port, a critical land trade route that handled 40 million tonnes of cargo and contributed 58% of Shigatse's total foreign trade in recent years . With officials now planning assessments and feasibility studies to restore the port's functions, the incident highlights the vulnerability of vital cross-border infrastructure to climate-induced geological hazards . The large number of missing foreign nationals underscores the international dimension of this disaster and the diplomatic pressure on Beijing to maintain transparent communication with affected governments .