All-out rescue operations underway after mudslide hits border port in Xizang

Rescuers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army transfer inflatable rescue boats to the mudslide-hit area near Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Zheng Chongxi/Xinhua)

GYIRONG, Xizang, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- The death toll had risen to five and 558 remained missing as of 3 p.m. on Friday after a mudslide struck the Gyirong Port along the China-Nepal border in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, according to the region's emergency management department.

As of 10 a.m. on Friday, a total of 681 fire and rescue personnel and 113 vehicles had arrived at the remote mountainous border area, while 6,612 pieces of rescue equipment and logistical supplies had been dispatched to Gyirong Township, the National Fire and Rescue Administration said.

A large amount of daily necessities, such as highland barley, rice, flour, drinking water, instant noodles, tents, folding beds, quilts, mattresses, blankets and raincoats have been delivered to the township, the region's emergency management department said.

This screenshot from a video clip taken on Aug. 28, 2026 shows rescue operations underway at the mudslide-hit area. (Xinhua)

Rescuers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army work in a mudslide-hit area near Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Cui Yunhong/Xinhua)

Rescuers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army work in a mudslide-hit area near Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Liu Yuqin/Xinhua)

Rescuers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army work in a mudslide-hit area near Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Liu Yuqin/Xinhua)

Rescuers from the People's Armed Police Force carry out search and rescue work near Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, in Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Yang Jie/Xinhua)

Experts conduct on-site surveys near a barrier lake formed upstream of the Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Experts conduct on-site surveys near a barrier lake formed upstream of the Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Rescuers from the People's Armed Police Force carry out search and rescue work near Gyirong Port in Gyirong County, in Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo by Sun Chongfeng/Xinhua)

Rescuers carry inflatable rescue boats to the mudslide-hit area on Aug. 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

This screenshot from a video clip taken on Aug. 28, 2026 shows rescue operations underway at the mudslide-hit area. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on Aug. 28, 2026 shows rescue operations underway at the mudslide-hit area. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

An aerial photo taken on Aug. 28, 2026 shows rescuers restoring a damaged road at the mudslide-hit areas in Gyirong, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)