Gyirong County, Xigaze City, Xizang Autonomous Region, southwest China - Aug 31, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of personnel, machinery repairing G216 national highway leading to mudslide-hit Gyirong Port

Gyirong County, Xigaze City, Xizang Autonomous Region, southwest China - Aug 30, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
2. Footage showing barrier lake 2.8 kilometers downstream of the Purepu Tsangpo barrier lake
3. Map showing locations of barrier lakes
4. Personnel surveying mountains to investigate hidden geological risks
5. Mountains near mudslide site
6. Various of personnel repairing power facilities
7. Various of personnel setting up emergency base station for communications
8. Personnel carrying rescue equipment onto helicopter
9. Various of helicopters flying to rescue site to airdrop supplies
10. Various of relief supplies at material transit center, personnel

A 700-strong search and rescue mission, supported by disaster-response vehicles and dogs, has been moblized for continuous, multi-round sweeps in the core disaster area after a massive mudslide hit a border port in Gyirong County of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.

The deadly mudslide, which occurred on the Nepalese side, struck Gyirong Port in Gyirong County last Wednesday morning. The disaster has so far claimed 16 lives, with 546 people still missing, according to local authorities.

On Sunday, the Xizang Fire and Rescue Corps airlifted 11 firefighters and 1,240 pieces of rescue equipment and supplies directly into the hardest-hit zone. To date, a total of 711 rescue personnel, 120 vehicles, and 13 search dogs from fire and rescue corps have been mobilized for non-stop grid searches for survivors. Two comprehensive sweeps of the core disaster area have been completed, with deeper, more detailed searches planned for the coming days.

The mudslide severely damaged the G216 national highway leading to Gyirong Port. To facilitate the deployment of additional rescue forces and heavy machinery, engineering teams successfully cleared two curves of the highway's first S-bend section on Sunday, widening the road by over 230 meters.

The disaster also triggered the formation of several barrier lakes upstream of Gyirong Port, posing a significant threat to downstream rescue operations.

As of Sunday, the Purepu Tsangpo barrier lake has been largely drained and restored to a natural flowing state. Another barrier lake, formed by a landslide 2.8 kilometers downstream, has also naturally overflowed and mostly drained.

In response to the disaster, the Ministry of Natural Resources has launched a comprehensive investigation into hidden geological risks in the affected areas, initially identifying eight high-risk locations.

Meanwhile, local power repair crews are working around the clock to ensure a continuous power supply at the rescue site. In terms of communications, the first emergency base station adjacent to the gate of the Gyirong Port has been established and put into use.

Providing crucial aerial support for the relief efforts, the army aviation brigade of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Xizang Military Command dispatched two helicopters to the core disaster area on Sunday, airdropping supplies and transporting professional rescue personnel.

Currently, two material transit stations have been established in Gyirong County, fully stocked with essential relief supplies, including quilts, folding beds, medical oxygen generators, petrol generating sets, rain boots, tents, weatherproof jackets, and family emergency kits.