'Major casualties' reported after mudslide at Tibet-Nepal border

Massive flooding has killed at least eight people in Nepal, while Chinese state media reported "major casualties" from a mudslide at a Tibet trade hub on the shared border. The mudslide occurred at Gyirong Port, a key land border crossing on the Tibetan/Chinese side.

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So far, eight bodies have been found. Rescue operations are underway.

Nepali police confirmed eight bodies have been found, with rescue operations ongoing. Videos shared by Nepal Police show torrents of muddy water surging through mountain valleys and sweeping away houses. "We do not exactly know the extent of damage, but the flood is big, and it could have damaged many settlements," a police spokesman said earlier, urging riverside residents to relocate.

China's state broadcaster CCTV reported that the mudslide disaster resulted in "major casualties and missing people at the Gyirong Port." Chinese President Xi Jinping urged "all-out" rescue operations, emphasizing the urgent task of searching for the missing and treating the injured. Roads in the area are considered unsafe due to the risk of further mudslides.

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We do not exactly know the extent of damage, but the flood is big, and it could have damaged many settlements.

The disaster has also impacted infrastructure, with the Nepal Electricity Authority reporting damage to approximately 430 megawatts of production capacity from hydropower and solar facilities. Several highways have been closed, according to Nepalese authorities.

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The most urgent task is doing everything possible to search for and rescue the missing people ... quickly treat injured people and minimise casualties to the greatest extent possible.