China steps up rescue efforts after disaster on the border with Nepal

Published at: 27/08/2026 08:01 PM

The People's Republic of China reinforced rescue efforts this Thursday after the landslide that occurred on the Nepalese side of the border, which caused numerous human losses and missing persons in the port of Gyirong, autonomous region of Xizang (Tibet).

The Chinese Rescue Team, made up of 111 firefighters and specialists, arrived at 08:26 local time at Dingri airport, in the city of Xigaze, and traveled to the affected area to support emergency efforts, Prensa Latina reported.

The force carried detection, rescue, extraction, communications and logistical support equipment, in addition to other means necessary for operations.

The group is made up of specialists from the Beijing and Sichuan fire departments, with experience in rescue operations in the face of major disasters and accidents.

At 08:02 local time today, a Y-20 aircraft of the Western Theater Air Force took off from an airport in southwestern China with a coordination group on board to direct joint rescue operations.

The deployed military and police forces carry out tasks of clearing roads, evaluating the situation, searching for people and transferring affected residents.

The coordination group of the Western Theater will assume the unified direction of the rescue forces of the People's Liberation Army and the Armed Police, with the support of aviation, medical personnel, transport and engineering.

The People's Bank of China reported that until 20:00 local time on August 26, the state sub-treasury of the Xizang autonomous region transferred three billion yuan (441.2 million dollars) to the Xigazê central treasury for relief work.

In turn, the central treasury of Xigazê allocated 600 million yuan (88.2 million dollars) to the delegated treasury of Gyirong district for disaster relief operations.

President Xi Jinping ordered to prioritize the search for missing persons, the transfer of residents at risk and the care of the injured, in addition to strengthening surveillance to prevent secondary disasters.

Xi stressed that China is going through a key period of the flood season and called on the relevant regions and departments to strengthen the identification and elimination of risks, as well as to implement prevention measures against floods and typhoons.

Prime Minister Li Qiang called for a quick determination of the number of missing and affected people, mobilizing all available resources for rescue and the timely transfer of those in danger areas.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing traveled to the site along with officials from relevant departments to guide rescue and emergency response operations.

The landslide occurred around 10:30 local time on August 26 in Nepal and so far more than 100 people have been killed and hundreds missing, including many foreign tourists.

Mazo News Team