Premier Li Qiang urges all-out rescue effort in disaster-hit Xizang

Entrusted by President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang arrives in southwest Xizang Autonomous Region to guide the rescue and relief efforts in the wake of the massive mudslide that lashed a Himalayan border port between Nepal and China.

He has called for all-out emergency response and stressed rescue plans should be formulated in a scientific and effective manner. The region's emergency response department confirms the death of five people as of Friday afternoon. At least 558 others, including 260 foreign nationals, remain missing on the Chinese side.

After landing in nearby Shigatse, Li travelled to mudslide-hit Gyirong County where he inspected the damage and met with crews working on the front lines. The premier described the disaster as "heartbreaking" in his call for rescue teams to put the people and their lives above all else and spare no effort in conducting rescue and emergency response work. "As long as there is a glimmer of hope, every effort should be made," he noted.

He later visited temporary shelters for evacuated and relocated residents and emphasised the need to continue dispatching and transporting relief supplies and ensure people's basic living needs.

This as local authorities say they have resumed operations following early reports of a dam from debris leading to the formation of a lake in Rasuwa that posed risks for secondary flooding.

Members from the Xizang Fire and Rescue Corps as well as the Sichuan Fire and Rescue Corps are the first professional rescue teams to reach the core rescue area at around 4:30pm Friday.

Hundreds of fire personnel and vehicles have already reached the remote mountainous border area, while 6,612 pieces of rescue equipment and logistical supplies are dispatched to Gyirong Township, says the National Fire and Rescue Administration. Also on Friday, President Xi expresses deep condolences to the mudslide victims in his messages to Nepal's President Ram Chandra Poudel and Prime Minister Balendra Shah on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

Xi says China is making every effort to search for and rescue missing persons, resettle affected people, provide prompt medical treatment, and minimise casualties. The two countries are "connected by mountains and rivers," according to Xi, and China stands ready to actively assist Nepal to the best of its capability.

Xi adds he believes that both peoples are able to join hands to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes as soon as possible.