Mainland authorities said three people died and 558 were still missing in the wake of a mudslide at the border between Nepal and China, state media reported on Thursday, citing local officials.

"A press conference was held in Shigatse, Xizang, to report that two people have been successfully rescued from the Gyirong landslide disaster," Xinhua News Agency said.

The disaster has "resulted in three deaths and 558 people still missing", it added, doubling the missing person count from the 265 reported late on Wednesday.

The update came as a directing group from the Western Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) was dispatched to the Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China on Thursday morning to coordinate joint rescue operations by military personnel in mudslide-hit Gyirong County.

Ferried by Y-20 transport aircraft from the western theatre command, the group will organise military forces to assist in disaster relief efforts.

The command responded immediately following the disaster, mobilising multiple rescue forces to the affected area to assist in road clearance, disaster assessment, search and rescue operations, and relocation of affected residents.

The team will assume unified command over PLA and Armed Police Force rescue units, with aviation, medical, transportation, and engineering corps fully prepared for timely operations when they are needed. (Xinhua)



Edited by Tony Sabine