Gyirong Port landslide causes mass casualties and hundreds missing

A massive landslide occurring near the Gyirong Port in Shigatse, Tibet, has resulted in significant casualties and many people missing. As of August 29, reports indicate that 7 people have died on the Chinese side, while 554 remain missing. On the Nepal side, the death toll has risen to 616 as of the morning of the 29th.

Among the missing is Huang Peng, a 34-year-old deputy captain of the second duty team at the Gyirong Border Inspection Station. CCTV reports and eyewitness accounts suggest that during the landslide on the morning of August 26, Huang Peng prioritized evacuating crowds and directing people to safety before he went missing along with several colleagues.

Rescue operations are underway under extremely difficult conditions due to disrupted roads, communications, and electricity. A total of 681 firefighters and 113 vehicles from national and regional teams, including personnel from Tibet and Sichuan, have been deployed. Search efforts are utilizing land, water, and air methods, including rubber boats, mountain trekking, and drone reconnaissance to locate the missing and monitor affected areas.