People's Armed Police Force rescuers participating in road restoration work on National Highway G216 remove their hats and observe a moment of silence for the victims of the mudslide in Gyirong county of Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region on Tuesday. Memorial services were held at various locations, including the disaster's core area, with rescue workers, local officials and residents taking part.WEI XIAOHAO/CHINA DAILY

　　Rescuers are intensifying search operations around Gyirong Port while working to reopen the main ground route to the disaster-hit area, as difficult terrain, heavy rainfall and the risk of secondary disasters continue to complicate rescue efforts.

　　As of 6 pm on Tuesday, crews clearing National Highway G216 had advanced to within 700 meters of fully reopening the route. The highway was severely damaged by a massive mudslide that struck the area on Aug 26 after originating on the Nepalese side of the China-Nepal border.

　　The disaster caused major casualties and left many people missing, while roads, electricity and communications were also disrupted.

　　On Tuesday morning, memorial ceremonies for the victims were held at the core rescue area and road-clearing sites near Gyirong Port, attended by rescuers, local officials and residents.

　　Norbu Tsering, acting mayor of Shigatse, said rescuers had spent four consecutive days searching about 0.7 square kilometers around the border gate using life-detection equipment and other methods.

　　"The priority remains reopening the road to the border gate while further intensifying the search in the core area," he said.