Highlights
- China has rejected claims linking the devastation in Nepal to the collapse of a dam on the Chinese side.
- The Chinese Embassy in Nepal described the allegations as fake news.
- China said the disaster was caused by a glacier collapse that triggered a massive flow of mud and debris.
Beijing, China. China has rejected Nepal’s claim that widespread destruction in the country was caused by the collapse of a dam on the Chinese side of the border. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal described the claim as fake news and said misinformation was being spread about the causes of the disaster.
Allegations also emerged that China had failed to provide the Nepalese side with a timely warning about the potential danger, resulting in significant loss of life and property. However, China rejected these allegations and presented a different explanation for the disaster.
China Rejects Dam Collapse Claim
In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal said reports claiming that a dam on the Chinese side had collapsed and caused the devastation in Nepal were false.
According to the embassy, a glacier collapsed in the Nepalese area on the morning of August 26, reportedly following an earthquake or a similar geological event. This triggered a rapid flow of large quantities of mud and debris.
Damage Reported on Both Sides of the Border
According to the embassy’s statement, the glacier collapse and subsequent debris flow caused damage on both sides of the Gyirong-Rasuwagadhi border area. The disaster affected border regions in both Nepal and China.
The statement said the incident resulted in major losses on both sides, while several people remain missing. The situation is also being closely monitored as relief and rescue operations continue in the affected areas.
China Also Rejects Claims of Delayed Warning
Following the disaster, claims emerged from Nepal that a dam associated with a geological disaster on the Chinese side had collapsed, causing widespread destruction in Nepal. China was also accused of failing to warn Nepalese authorities about the potential danger in time.
However, China has clearly rejected these claims. According to the Chinese Embassy, the actual cause of the disaster was the collapse of a glacier, followed by a large-scale flow of mud and debris.
Focus Shifts to Investigation Into the Disaster
With differing claims emerging from both sides, discussions have intensified over the actual cause of the disaster. Authorities are assessing the extent of damage in the affected areas on both sides of the border.
For now, China has rejected allegations of a dam collapse and claims that it failed to issue a timely warning. Further details regarding the incident and the final assessment of the damage are still awaited.
