Chinese authorities have penalised 10 people accused of spreading misinformation online about the deadly mudslide along the Nepal border, as rescue teams continue searching for hundreds of missing people on the Tibetan side.
The penalties could include fines or detention for up to 10 days, according to Chinese police. Authorities did not disclose what punishment was imposed on each individual.
The action comes as rescuers in Nepal and Tibet continue search operations following last week’s disaster, when a powerful surge of water, mud and debris swept through communities on both sides of the border. Entire villages were destroyed, while roads, bridges and other infrastructure were damaged.
China’s Ministry of Public Security said the 10 people had circulated rumours claiming that the number of people killed or missing was far higher than official figures.
According to the ministry’s cybersecurity bureau, one person identified by the surname Qiu posted online that news reports had put the death toll at 1,400 but claimed 3,000 people had previously been reported missing.
Another individual, surnamed Liu, allegedly posted that more than 3,000 people had died in China because of the mudslide.
Police said the claims were false and took action against those accused of spreading them. The authorities did not provide further information about the individuals or explain how the reported figures were verified.
The disaster has caused widespread destruction in Nepal, where at least 903 people have died and 4,247 remain missing, according to the country’s disaster authority.
In Tibet, 16 people have died and 546 are still missing. Chinese state media reported that the mudslide flattened an area covering about 0.7 square kilometres, roughly equivalent to 98 football pitches.
Rescue teams have been working in difficult conditions as they search for people who may still be trapped or missing around the border crossing. Heavy rain, unstable ground and rising water levels have complicated operations.
The disaster has also created challenges for authorities trying to establish the identities and whereabouts of missing people, including foreign nationals who were travelling through the region.
Nepal and China have been coordinating rescue and recovery efforts, while authorities on both sides continue to assess damage caused by the sudden flooding.
The large number of missing people has made accurate information particularly important for families waiting for news of relatives. At the same time, Chinese authorities have stepped up efforts to control what is shared online about the disaster.
The penalties against the 10 people reflect China’s broader restrictions on online content deemed false or harmful, with police warning against spreading unverified information during major emergencies.
Rescue operations are continuing as teams search damaged areas and work to determine the full scale of the destruction caused by the mudslide and flooding.
