Kathmandu— A mudslide triggered by a high-altitude glacier collapse in Nepal struck Gyirong Port on the China-Nepal border in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on August 26, causing 21 confirmed deaths and leaving 541 people missing, according to regional government reports, as Chinese rescuers deployed over 2,300 personnel to conduct extensive search and rescue operations across a 1.59 million square meter area.

Rescue Operations Underway

Over 2,300 rescuers have been deployed to the Gyirong Port area, conducting multiple rounds of grid and blanket searches covering approximately 1.59 million square meters. The core affected area has seen 336 rescuers conducting exhaustive searches to ensure thorough coverage of every section.

Specialized firefighters are using life-detection equipment to verify suspicious locations, while large machinery is clearing obstacles to create working areas. Power supply has been restored to the core area of the mudslide-hit port, as reported by the State Grid.

Rescuers are also collecting and registering suspected personal belongings of the deceased and missing, with 847 items recovered as of Wednesday noon to facilitate identification and handover.

Cross-Border Coordination Efforts

The Ministry of Emergency Management and Ministry of Transport have dispatched road-reinforcement and heavy-lift equipment to the site to support the rescue operations.

Central state-owned enterprises have mobilized personnel and machinery to secure power supply and support relief efforts in the core area, according to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

Chinese relief supplies and DNA experts arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal, by air on Thursday as part of China's aid efforts following the disaster, highlighting cross-border cooperation in the aftermath of the mudslide.

Rescue operations continue as authorities work to identify victims and provide support to affected communities.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.