MOFA: Nearly 100 Chinese nationals missing in Nepal's disaster area

Nearly 100 Chinese nationals are currently unaccounted for in the disaster-stricken area on the Nepalese side of the China-Nepal border, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Lin said Chinese authorities had activated a Level II national disaster relief emergency response, and rescue teams had been dispatched to the affected area, where search and rescue operations were underway.

"The Chinese side extends sincere sympathies to the Nepalese government and people affected by the disaster," Lin said.

According to Lin, the mudslide had resulted in significant casualties and a substantial number of unaccounted people in both China and Nepal, which were maintaining close communication and coordination on rescue efforts.

China stood ready to provide emergency assistance in light of Nepal's needs.

Citing information released by local authorities, Lin said preliminary figures showed that about 260 foreign nationals were currently unaccounted for in the affected area, though exact numbers were still being verified due to the impact of the disaster.

Lin noted that Chinese rescue operations were being conducted with no distinction made between Chinese and foreign nationals.

China was also maintaining communication with relevant foreign embassies in Beijing and providing updates on the situation.

He added that the Chinese Embassy in Nepal was further verifying information with Nepalese authorities and had issued a consular advisory.

The ministry urged Chinese citizens in the area to move to safer locations, remain vigilant against secondary disasters, and contact the embassy if assistance is needed.

The remarks came after a massive mudslide and flash flood disaster struck the China-Nepal border region, leaving a large number of people dead or unaccounted for and disrupting transportation and communications in affected areas.

Rescue operations are continuing on both sides of the border.