Restoring road access to the mudslide-hit Gyirong Port remains the top priority as rescue efforts continue in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, a local official said on Tuesday.

Nearly 700 personnel are involved in the effort to reopen the G216 national highway leading to the port on the China-Nepal border, according to Norbu Tsering, deputy head of the emergency rescue headquarters and acting mayor of Xigaze City.

The race comes as memorial services were held on Tuesday morning in Gyirong County to mourn victims of the August 26 mudslide that claimed 16 lives and left 546 people missing at the border port.

The memorial services took place at the Gyirong Port branch of the Xigaze Public Security Bureau and at the rescue sites.

Rescuers, local officials and residents stood in silence to mourn the victims.

Drone footage seen by Xinhua reporters showed that by around 10.50am on Tuesday, crews had reopened the highway to within one kilometre of the port.

The final stretch of the highway to Gyirong Port was severely damaged by the mudslide, cutting off road access and hampering rescue operations in the disaster area.

While road repairs continue, rescuers have spent four consecutive days scouring a 0.7-square-kilometre area around the border gate using life detectors and other equipment, Norbu Tsering said.

Heavy rainfall is expected over the next two days, while supplies and additional personnel are being airlifted into the core disaster area to sustain rescue operations.

Nepal’s disaster agency said on Tuesday that 987 deaths had been counted there, with 3,916 people missing, including 583 foreigners.

Rescuers were racing to reach hundreds of workers believed to be trapped inside tunnels at hydropower projects damaged by the floods.

About 900 workers are missing from 12 projects, with roughly 500 believed to be trapped in tunnels, according to Nepalese authorities. (Xinhua/AP)



Edited by Edmond Fong