Chinese authorities have officially penalized ten individuals for spreading online misinformation regarding the catastrophic mudslide that struck near the Nepal-Tibet border. According to the Ministry of Public Security’s cybersecurity bureau, these individuals were targeted for circulating false statistics that significantly inflated the official death and missing persons counts. While specific punishments were not detailed, the accused face potential consequences ranging from hefty fines to up to ten days in detention.

The crackdown comes as search and rescue teams continue to navigate the aftermath of a massive deluge that decimated villages on both sides of the border. Authorities took issue with claims made by individuals like those identified as Qiu and Liu, who alleged thousands more had perished or gone missing than the verified figures released by state officials. Currently, the tragedy has left hundreds unaccounted for in Tibet, with rescue efforts ongoing across an area spanning nearly a square kilometer, while neighboring Nepal continues to grapple with a devastating toll of over 900 confirmed deaths.