The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has reserved HK$50 million ($6.38 million) from its disaster relief fund to support emergency rescue and recovery efforts in the Xizang autonomous region following a devastating mudslide, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Saturday.

In a social media post, Lee expressed deep sorrow over the disaster, describing the high number of casualties and missing persons as “extremely distressing.” He extended his heartfelt condolences to the affected communities and families of the deceased, saying applications for aid will be promptly processed.

The deadly mudslide struck Gyirong Port along the China-Nepal border on Wednesday morning. According to Xinhua News Agency, the debris hurtled downhill at high speeds without any natural obstacles to dissipate its energy, leaving people with a narrow window to detect the threat and escape.

Experts attributed the disaster to a high-altitude glacier collapse.

RELATED ARTICLES

• Xi urges stronger rescue efforts in Xizang
• Nepal mudslide death toll rises to 626, another 2,426 missing
• High-altitude glacier collapse in Nepal triggered mudslide
• Rescue, relief efforts intensify in Xizang following mudslide

As of 1 am on Saturday, Xizang authorities said seven deaths had been confirmed and 554 people remained missing.

Rescuers from across the country have arrived in the mudslide-struck region and are racing against time conducting rescue operations.

Lee thanked all frontline rescue workers for risking disasters and fearlessly devoting themselves to the rescue and relief efforts. He hopes the operation would proceed smoothly and safely, that the disaster victims would receive timely aid, and that those affected could overcome their difficulties soon.

So far, 626 bodies have been recovered in Nepal’s disaster-hit areas as of Saturday morning, according to Nepalese authorities, and 2,426 people are still missing.

The SAR’s Immigration Department said it hasn’t received any request for assistance from Hong Kong residents to date.

Contact the writer at williamxu@chinadailyhk.com