Major mudslide in Tibet's Gyirong causes significant casualties

A severe mudslide in Gyirong County, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region, has caused significant loss of life and prompted an urgent response from Chinese authorities. The natural disaster has left multiple casualties in its wake, with rescue teams mobilising to locate missing persons in the affected area.

President Xi Jinping has directed all relevant agencies to conduct comprehensive search and rescue operations to locate survivors and account for those missing. His directives emphasise the need for an all-out effort to maximise the chances of finding those trapped or displaced by the mudslide.

Beyond immediate rescue operations, Xi has instructed officials to strengthen monitoring systems and enhance early warning mechanisms to mitigate the risk of secondary disasters. These measures are designed to prevent additional mudslides or related hazards that commonly occur in mountainous regions following major geological events.

The mudslide underscores the natural disaster risks facing the Tibetan plateau region, where monsoon rains and steep terrain frequently create conditions conducive to such events. Authorities have not yet released detailed casualty figures or information regarding the extent of property damage.