China opens a 24/7 English-language hotline for families of those missing after the disaster on the border with Nepal
Two weeks have passed, and hope is gradually giving way to bitter acceptance. The families of those still listed as missing already understand: a miracle is unlikely. Their questions have shifted from "where are they?" to "how can we at least recover remains?" DNA sample collection has become the main subject of calls — the last way to establish the truth and say goodbye. The hotline has become a channel not of rescue but of identification and human involvement in the hardest stage — accepting loss.
China has launched a 24/7 English-language hotline for families of those still listed as missing after the devastating landslide and flood that struck the border area between China's Xizang Autonomous Region and neighbouring Nepal on August 26. In the two weeks since its launch, the line has received about 600 calls. As search-and-rescue operations continue into their third week, Kelsang Chudzong, director of the Protocol and Information Department of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Xizang Autonomous Region, said the main concerns of victims' families have shifted somewhat.
"In the initial stage, family members of foreigners still listed as missing were mainly concerned about the progress of search-and-rescue work, as well as verifying information about missing relatives and friends. As the search-and-rescue work advances, they are more concerned about issues related to DNA sample collection," Kelsang said. The catastrophic flash flood and landslide, triggered by a glacier collapse on the Nepali side, struck the remote China–Nepal border area on the morning of August 26, causing heavy casualties and leaving thousands missing. The worst-hit Chinese section of the border area is in Gyirong, Shigatse.
Kelsang also noted that family members are concerned about the procedures for foreign relatives to enter Shigatse, as well as other related processes. The hotline has been operating since late August. Together with colleagues in Shigatse, the team serving the hotline had received about 600 calls as of Wednesday. In recent days, the number of calls from families of people still missing on the Chinese side has gradually decreased. But the team continues to stay in touch around the clock. "We listen very patiently to the needs of every caller and carefully record every important piece of information. At the same time, we do our best to provide emotional support and reassure the members of these families," Kelsang said.
She said the team has created a "one person, one case" system that lays the foundation for subsequent tasks, and that team members will continue to do their utmost to contribute to the ongoing relief and rescue work.
As reported by CCTV+, the hotline has become an important channel of communication for foreign families who lost loved ones in the cross-border disaster. Despite the declining intensity of calls, the team continues its round-the-clock watch, providing information and emotional support to those still waiting for news of their relatives.
