Tibet-Nepal Border Mudslide Saves Tour Groups as Hundreds Remain Missing
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
A massive mudslide struck the Gyirong Port (吉隆口岸) border crossing between Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, June 26, sending torrents of mud and debris from Nepalese territory into China. Two separate tour groups survived what could have been tragedies—one blocked by a female police officer, another saved when their guide altered the itinerary at the last moment. As of Thursday, the disaster has left at least 3 dead, 2 rescued, and 558 unaccounted for, according to the on-site command headquarters reporting to mainland Chinese media.
Key Points
- A tourist vehicle heading toward Gyirong Port was stopped by a female police officer who warned the passengers not to proceed
- The tour guide known as Mu (沐先生) changed his group's route from Gyirong Port to the Asia No. 1 observation deck (亞洲一號觀景台), saving everyone
- Around 10:30 AM, Mu's group heard a deafening roar while approaching the viewpoint; they initially thought it was an avalanche
- Eyewitness video captured muddy water suddenly burying the road just 4-5 kilometers from the port, with power poles swept away
- The disaster has devastated Nepalese workers in Gyirong Town, with one employee learning his child was killed in the catastrophe
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the deadly geological risks along the Tibet-Nepal border, where terrain and weather can trigger sudden disasters that affect cross-border traffic and communities. Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, the destruction of Gyirong Port—an important trade and transit point—could disrupt supply chains and travel routes between China and South Asia for months to come .
The incident highlights the deadly geological risks along the Tibet-Nepal border, where terrain and weather can trigger sudden disasters that affect cross-border traffic and communities. Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, the destruction of Gyirong Port—an important trade and transit point—could disrupt supply chains and travel routes between China and South Asia for months to come .