A 4.4-magnitude earthquake near the Nepal-China border triggered a catastrophic landslide in Gyirong, Tibet, on August 26, 2026, killing at least 95 people and leaving 484 tourists missing, including three Americans, according to Nepalese authorities. The disaster struck Gyirong Port, a critical trade hub for Chinese electric vehicle exports to Nepal, submerging buildings and engulfing a key border checkpoint.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered local authorities to “spare no effort” in rescue and recovery operations, while Nepalese officials confirmed the landslide followed the earthquake, which occurred at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time. Rescue teams equipped with drones and heavy machinery have been deployed to the affected area, where roads have been closed for seven days.
Immediate Impact and Casualties
The landslide, described by Chinese state media as causing “major casualties”, struck Gyirong Port in Tibet’s Shigatse city and Nepal’s Rasuwa district. Nepalese authorities reported recovering 95 bodies, while the Nepal Tourism Board listed 384 missing individuals, including 93 Nepalis and 291 foreigners. Among the missing are citizens from India, Australia, the U.S., the U.K., and the Netherlands, with 111 nationalities unconfirmed.
A video circulating online shows people fleeing as the landslide engulfed the checkpoint within seconds. The U.S. State Department confirmed it was tracking the situation, stating it was assisting Americans in the region through local tour agencies.
Cause and Geological Context
Authorities attribute the disaster to a 4.4-magnitude earthquake, which struck seven minutes before the landslide. The quake triggered an ice-rock avalanche that flowed into the Lhende Khola River in Nepal, exacerbating flooding. Nepal’s foreign minister, Shishir Khanal, suggested the earthquake as the likely cause during a parliamentary address.
Satellite imagery from August 23 and 26 shows the extent of the damage, with the floodwaters submerging buildings along the riverbank. The landslide occurred at Gyirong Port, a vital trade route reopened in 2022 after pandemic restrictions, handling the majority of Chinese-Nepali freight, including electric vehicles.
International Response and Ongoing Operations
China’s emergency response team has deployed construction machinery and reconnaissance drones to aid in rescue efforts. Roads leading to the disaster site remain closed for safety, and authorities have not yet released an official death toll for the Chinese side of the border.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement expressing condolences and urging Americans in the area to follow local emergency instructions. Nepal’s tourism authority continues to update missing person lists, with three Americans confirmed among the missing, all traveling with Fishtail Tours and Travel.
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities assess the full scope of the disaster.