Beijing: China has informed foreign embassies about procedures for collecting DNA samples from relatives of foreign nationals missing after last month's deadly floods and mudslides along the Nepal-Tibet border, Beijing announced Monday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that Chinese authorities are continuing search and identification operations in the Xizang Autonomous Region, also known as Tibet.
According to Philippines News Agency, China has communicated with relevant foreign embassies regarding the collection of DNA samples from the families of missing individuals. Guo informed reporters in Beijing that if remains of foreign victims are recovered and their identities confirmed, the relevant embassies will be promptly notified about arrangements for handling the deceased. Additionally, authorities in Xizang have established a hotline to assist families of missing foreign nationals.
On the Nepalese side, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported 1,385 confirmed deaths and 5,130 people still missing, according to the latest figures on a government flood-update portal. The authority announced that 13,676 individuals have been rescued, while 21,022 security personnel were mobilized for search, rescue, and relief operations. Among the missing in Nepal are 587 foreign tourists. Authorities indicated that the missing-person count is subject to verification and may include unidentified bodies and those who have already been rescued.
In Xizang, the death toll stands at 43, with 519 people missing, including 261 foreigners. The disaster struck on August 26 when a glacier on Nepal's Mount Langtang Lirung fractured at an altitude of about 5,200 meters (17,060 feet). The fracture triggered an ice-rock avalanche that turned into a massive debris flow, sweeping through valleys along the border.
The floodwaters and mudslides devastated Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Kavre districts, as well as the Kathmandu Valley. The disaster also buried the Gyirong border crossing in Xizang.
