Beijing's 'Disaster Information Stability Control': China Punishes 10 Netizens for Spreading 'Unofficial Casualty Figures'

A catastrophic landslide struck the border region between China and Nepal last week, causing significant casualties on both sides. Thousands remain missing. As search and rescue operations continue, Chinese police announced on Monday (August 31) that they have imposed administrative penalties on 10 individuals accused of spreading unofficial casualty data online.

The Cybersecurity Bureau of China's Ministry of Public Security and Tibet's cyber police stated that these 10 individuals were punished for disseminating 'false information' about the landslide disaster. The massive mudflow, which hit parts of Nepal and Tibet, China, destroyed entire villages, with rescue teams operating across the border.

Authorities said the punished individuals claimed that the number of missing or dead far exceeded official figures. Tibetan public security agencies emphasized their ongoing 'Clean Network—2026' campaign, which targets the fabrication and spread of false disaster-related information that misleads the public and disrupts online order. They stated the crackdown is necessary to ensure the smooth progress of relief efforts.

The police released several case examples. One Liu姓 netizen posted that 'over 3,000 people have died on the Chinese side.' Another, surnamed Qiu, claimed '1,400 deaths were reported in the news, but 3,000 were already missing earlier.' Other posts included statements such as 'over 1,000 people were buried by the landslide,' 'it's not that serious, maybe around 500 dead, and all missing people are likely dead,' and 'thousands instantly lost their lives at the Gyirong port in Shigatse.'

The individuals involved were located in various regions including Chamdo and Lhasa in Tibet, Xiangxi in Hunan, Hulunbuir in Inner Mongolia, Nanchang in Jiangxi, and Chongqing. Authorities said most posts were made 'to attract attention and gain followers.' Local police have imposed administrative penalties in accordance with the law. Under Chinese regulations, such acts can result in fines or up to 10 days of detention, though specific penalties were not detailed in the announcement.

Casualty and missing person figures on both sides are substantial. Nepal's disaster management authorities report at least 900 deaths and over 4,200 missing due to floods. According to AP, the combined death toll in Nepal and China exceeds 900, with over 4,700 missing. Nepal's private hydropower industry association stated that 12 hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts were damaged, with at least 900 workers still unaccounted for.

In the Chinese-administered Tibet region, official media reported the landslide destroyed approximately 0.7 square kilometers—an area equivalent to about 98 football fields. As of August 31, the latest official casualty data from China, last updated on August 29, indicates 16 deaths and 546 missing in Gyirong, Tibet.