Death toll in Gyirong rises to 21, search for 541 missing continues
The death toll from the devastating landslide that struck the Gyirong port on the China-Nepal border in the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwestern China last week rose to 21 by Wednesday noon. Search efforts are in full swing after road access to the main disaster zone was restored earlier that day, according to the latest briefing from the regional government.
The mountains, which for centuries seemed unshakeable, are now reminding us of their fragility with alarming regularity. The tragedy in Gyirong, which has claimed 21 lives and left more than 500 families in uncertainty, is yet another stark reminder of how quickly nature can erase entire settlements. But amid the destruction and grief, there is another story — a story of the courage of rescuers who, despite incredible difficulties, fought their way to the victims through mountain passes, water and mud. The restoration of the road to the disaster zone has become a symbol of hope: now heavy machinery and hundreds of rescuers can work non‑stop to find survivors.
Gama Chedain, Chairman of the Tibet Regional Government and commander of the emergency rescue headquarters set up for the disaster, briefed the press on the latest developments in rescue efforts seven days after the massive landslide on the China-Nepal border. Chedain told journalists that 21 deaths had been confirmed at the border port, and that about 847 personal belongings had been recovered so far, while the search for 541 people still listed as missing continues.
The rescue operation received a boost after access to the central part of the landslide‑hit port was restored at around 10:00 on Wednesday. This followed several days of around‑the‑clock repair work on severely damaged sections of National Highway G216. Before the road was cleared, rescuers faced enormous difficulties in reaching the site, Chedain explained. He said many rescuers had to take long detours along treacherous mountain roads on foot, in some cases taking up to 12 hours to reach the central area. Assault and rubber boats were also used to cross rivers, and 24 helicopters were deployed to transport rescuers, essential supplies and other specialised equipment to the area, the official added.
"Currently, more than 2,300 rescuers, 400 search and rescue vehicles, more than 8,000 pieces of equipment and more than 800 drone flights are involved in the rescue operations, with 5.43 tonnes of cargo and equipment delivered by air. In addition, four lighting units, one low‑voltage generator and one charging station have been installed in the central zone, and communication has been restored with 12 base stations supporting the search and rescue operation," he said. Chedain also outlined the scale of the search area, noting that hundreds of search and rescue operations had been completed, with thorough searches covering a total area of nearly 1.6 million square metres. He also noted that the largely restored highway — with about three kilometres of damaged road cleared in recent days — now allows key equipment to be brought into the port area, which will significantly speed up operations. "Since the road was cleared, more than 10 units of heavy machinery and mechanical equipment have entered the operational zone to carry out continuous search and rescue operations," the commander said.
The Gyirong (Kyirong) port is a key land border crossing in southwestern China, connecting the Tibet Autonomous Region with Nepal. It is one of the main trade corridors between the two countries. The area is prone to landslides and debris flows due to high seismic activity and climate change, which is accelerating glacier melt. The tragedy that occurred last week is one of the largest in the region in recent decades. After the landslide, roads were completely destroyed, paralysing rescue efforts. However, after a week of continuous effort, road crews restored access, allowing heavy machinery to be deployed. Authorities have mobilised all available resources, including helicopters, drones and specialised equipment for searching in difficult conditions.
As CCTV+ reports, the rescue operation at the Gyirong port is entering a new phase: the restoration of road access has opened the way for heavy machinery, which will significantly speed up the search. Despite heavy losses, rescuers have not given up hope of finding survivors. This tragedy once again underscores the need to strengthen early warning systems and international cooperation in mountainous regions, where climate change is making natural disasters more frequent and more destructive.
