Chinese rescue teams have recovered 12 additional bodies from the devastating tsunami‑like mudslide that destroyed the Gyirong border crossing between China and Nepal, as search operations continue for hundreds still missing. The disaster was triggered on 26 August, when a glacier collapsed on the Nepal side, unleashing a massive surge of water, mud, and debris that swept through the narrow river gorge and obliterated the land port.
Rescue workers in bright orange uniforms have been using excavators, shovels, and ground‑penetrating radar to comb through the thick grey‑black mud. Officials say the scale of destruction is immense — the once‑standing 20‑metre‑tall border gate has vanished, and there is no trace of the five‑storey Chinese customs building that previously marked the crossing. Only part of a nearby water‑tower installation remains visible.
The human toll continues to rise. More than 1,300 people have been confirmed dead on both sides of the border, with over 5,000 missing. On the Chinese side alone, 43 deaths have been confirmed and 519 people remain unaccounted for, including 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries.
Recovery teams have planted a Chinese flag at the site where the border gate once stood. They are collecting fingerprints, noting tattoos, and cataloguing personal items to help identify victims. So far, 993 personal belongings have been recovered. Diplomats and families of missing foreigners have privately expressed frustration over what they describe as limited information and slow updates.