China penalises 10 over spreading misinformation on deadly Tibet mudslide

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Beijing: Chinese authorities have fined 10 persons accused of circulating false information about the fatal mudslide near the Nepal-China border, police said Monday, as rescuers continue to search for hundreds of missing people on the Tibetan side.

The penalty might vary from a fine to up to ten days in jail. According to authorities, the individuals spread rumours saying that the number of people dead or missing was significantly higher than the official count.

According to China's Ministry of Public Security, one person, claimed on the internet that 3,000 people had been reported missing, while another, claimed that more than 3,000 people had died in China during the tragedy. Authorities did not disclose the punishments imposed on each person.

The disaster struck last week when a massive wall of water swept through parts of Nepal and Tibet, destroying villages and causing widespread devastation.

At least 903 people have died and 4,247 are missing, according to Nepal's disaster department. According to Chinese official media, 16 individuals died and 546 are still unaccounted for in Tibet under Chinese administration. The mudslide spanned an area of roughly 0.7 square kilometres.