On August 26, 2026, a glacial-related collapse destroyed Gyirong Port, a principal land crossing between Tibet and Nepal, killing at least 789 people and leaving more than 3,000 missing. ^[1] Researchers from the China Academy of Sciences (CAS) Mountain Disaster and Environment Research Institute stated that the flood and mudslide hit the border checkpoint in Zilong County at a speed of 19 meters per second. ^[2] Accusations arose that the Chinese Communist Party's focus on the economy and disregard for known risks turned a natural hazard into a man-made tragedy due to the construction of the port complex in unstable geological terrain. ^[3] On July 8, 2025, a glacial lake outburst flood struck Gyirong County in Shigatse, Tibet, destroying the Friendship Bridge and leaving 17 people missing, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. ^[4] The disaster destroyed roads, bridges, and homes, leaving entire communities isolated and struggling to reach survivors. ^[5] The China Academy of Sciences concluded that tracking glacier movement paths and issuing warnings as early as possible are viable countermeasures, recommending moving monitoring points upstream and utilizing remote sensing and seismic data. ^[6] The research team described the disaster as a continuous process involving glacier collapse, debris flow, and landslide that ultimately led to a flood. ^[7] The study team explained that the speed of 19 meters per second is nearly twice as fast as Usain Bolt's average speed during his 2009 100m world record of 9.58 seconds. ^[8]