China to notify embassies as bodies of foreign victims identified in Xizang mudslide

China said Monday it has notified the embassies of relevant countries in Beijing about procedures for collecting DNA samples from the families of foreign nationals still unaccounted for after a mudslide hit Gyirong Port in China's Xizang autonomous region.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular news briefing in response to a question about search and rescue efforts for foreign nationals affected by the mudslide.

Guo said that if the bodies of foreign victims are found and identities confirmed, China will promptly inform the relevant countries' embassies of the arrangements for handling the aftermath.

He added that the Xizang autonomous region has opened a hotline for the families of missing foreign nationals to provide them with timely updates and assistance.