BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- A fast-moving chain mudslide, triggered by a high-altitude glacier collapse in Nepal, struck Gyirong Port on the China-Nepal border in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Aug. 26, causing heavy casualties and leaving many missing.
Chinese rescuers immediately launched all-out search and rescue operations. Here is what we know about the deadly mudslide and the latest progress in China:
-- As of 6 p.m. on Sept. 5, a total of 43 people had been confirmed dead and 519 others remained missing in the disaster. A total of 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries have been identified among the missing.
-- The fourth batch of emergency relief supplies from China to Nepal was dispatched on Tuesday morning, including equipment for transportation and lighting and mortuary supplies, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday.
The China Foundation for Rural Development has sent people to the affected communities in Nepal to set up temporary shelters and provide daily necessities and basic medical services. The Chinese Enterprises Association in Nepal recently delivered the first batch of funds donated for relief operations, she added.
-- A total of 444 residents evacuated from nearby villages in Gyirong Town have safely returned home after the threat from a barrier lake was largely eliminated.
Over the past several days, experts have conducted safety inspections and hydrological monitoring. The barrier lake above the main area of Gyirong Port has been drained, the river has resumed normal flow, and the risk has been largely removed.
-- As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, banks had granted credit totaling 79 million yuan (about 11.66 million U.S. dollars) to businesses affected by the disaster and those supporting disaster relief and the provision of essential supplies.
They had also issued 32 loans totaling 53.53 million yuan to related businesses and individuals.
For borrowers affected by the disaster, the Agricultural Bank of China's Gyirong Port branch granted extensions on 638 loans totaling 114 million yuan.
-- Insurers had estimated losses at 450 million yuan, including nearly 200 million yuan under accident insurance and 210 million yuan under non-auto policies such as engineering, liability and property insurance. They had received 142 related claims and paid out more than 4.47 million yuan. ■
