Rescuers rush to mudslide-hit border port in SW China's Xizang

LHASA -- Rescue teams are racing to a mudslide-stricken border port in Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region after the disaster caused significant casualties along the China-Nepal border on Wednesday, local authorities said.

A mudslide occurred on Wednesday morning in Nepal, resulting in three people dead and 265 missing at Gyirong Port in Gyirong county of Xizang as of 8 pm, according to initial estimates.

Xizang has activated its highest-level relief and emergency response for natural disasters. The region's emergency management authority has dispatched 792 personnel and 152 vehicles for the rescue effort, while the regional fire and rescue authority has mobilized 72 vehicles and 431 firefighting and rescue personnel with rescue dogs, life scanners and speed boats to aid the effort.