China Recovers 12 Bodies as Nepal Border Mudslide Toll Rises

Chinese rescue teams have recovered 12 more bodies from the ruins of the Gyirong border crossing, nearly two weeks after a devastating mudslide destroyed the key China-Nepal trade route.

The disaster struck on August 26 after a high-altitude glacier collapse in Nepal triggered a fast-moving torrent of water, mud and debris that swept through the border area. The latest Chinese figures show 43 people confirmed dead and 519 still missing on the Chinese side. Among those missing are 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries.

The destruction has left the once-busy border crossing buried beneath a vast field of mud and debris, while rescuers continue searching for victims using heavy machinery, drones and specialised detection equipment.

12 Bodies Recovered

Chinese officials said rescuers recovered 12 additional bodies as operations intensified at the devastated port.

Teams in protective equipment have been using excavators, shovels and ground-penetrating radar to search areas where buildings and vehicles were swept away.

The latest recovery effort comes as access to Gyirong Port has gradually improved, allowing more personnel and machinery to enter the core disaster zone.

More than 2,500 rescue personnel and over 500 vehicles had been deployed by Saturday, while drones had conducted more than 1,000 flights, according to Chinese authorities.

Glacier Collapse Triggered Disaster

The mudslide followed the collapse of a high-altitude glacier on the Nepalese side of the border.

A huge volume of water, ice, rock and mud surged downstream before reaching the Gyirong area. Videos showed what appeared to be a dark wave of debris moving rapidly through the valley.

Gyirong Port lies in a narrow gorge and serves as an important link between China and Nepal. The force of the disaster was sufficient to erase major buildings and infrastructure at the crossing.

The five-storey Chinese customs building that once stood at the site has disappeared, leaving little visible evidence of the former border complex.

Border Crossing Wiped Out

International journalists visiting the area saw a landscape transformed by the disaster.

A Chinese flag has reportedly been placed near the location where the main border gate once stood. Rescue teams continue working behind warnings marking the area as dangerous.

The destruction has severely disrupted a crossing used by traders, workers and travellers between Nepal and China.

Chinese authorities have also provided assistance to Nepalese residents affected by the disaster. Officials said 1,720 Nepalese border residents had received assistance following the mudslide.

Foreign Nationals Missing

The number of missing foreign nationals has added an international dimension to the rescue operation.

Chinese authorities said 261 people from 23 countries were among those still unaccounted for on the Chinese side.

Rescue teams have been documenting personal belongings and identifying remains as they are recovered. Officials said teams were recording fingerprints and identifying features such as tattoos.

Authorities have also recovered hundreds of personal items from the disaster zone. Chinese officials reported that 993 belongings had been recovered by Saturday.

Families Seek More Answers

The recovery operation has also raised concerns among families and foreign diplomats seeking information about missing relatives.

Reuters reported that representatives of several governments have privately expressed frustration over what they described as limited information-sharing, including questions about DNA identification procedures and access to possible video footage from the border crossing.

Such information could potentially help establish the identities and movements of people who were at the port when the mudslide struck.

Chinese authorities have defended their handling of the disaster, saying information has been released transparently and that Beijing is prepared to cooperate with other countries and relevant agencies.

Nepal Receives Chinese Support

China has also expanded assistance to Nepal as rescue operations continue on both sides of the border.

At Nepal's request, China has sent tunnel rescue and DNA specialists to assist with the response. Chinese authorities have also provided emergency supplies and disaster-related support.

The wider catastrophe has caused enormous loss of life across Nepal and Tibet. Latest reporting puts the combined death toll at more than 1,300, with more than 5,000 people missing across the affected areas.

Search Operation Continues

For rescuers at Gyirong Port, the immediate priority remains locating and identifying those still missing.

The scale of destruction means teams are working through deep layers of mud and debris where almost all major structures have disappeared.

The recovery of 12 additional bodies demonstrates that search operations are still yielding results nearly two weeks after the disaster.

With hundreds of people unaccounted for on the Chinese side alone, authorities face a prolonged recovery and identification effort. The destruction of the border crossing will also leave a lasting impact on trade and movement between China and Nepal as both countries assess how to restore connectivity and strengthen disaster preparedness in the vulnerable Himalayan region.