Source: China Police daily; photographer: Xiao Fugui(肖富贵)

On August 29, 2026, a search and rescue team of 18 border patrol officers of the national immigration administration(likely composed of gyirong border inspection station personnel who were not at the port at the time) were sent to gyirong border crossing via Mi-17 helicopters to further assist with the firefighters(100-300; there is already a camp i heard, but since they can only really send two helis at a time it's not pratical) at the scene. Because the road to the checkpoint has been cut off(but undergoing emergency repair), heavy equipment is unable to reach the scene yet. The 18 man team is equipped with shovels and thermal life detectors. (Firefighters at the scene also have dogs). (photo from the helicopter, it appears a commissioner which is very high ranking was also deployed.)
According to chinese netizens, between 80-110 border control officers, 78 local police officers and 63 customs officers work at the checkpoint. However, the border inspection station, local police border crossing branch and main customs building are located further inland in uneffected territory so there is definetely a lot of them survived as they were not at the checkpoint.(this rescue team is very likely composed of those who survived.)

(video of Gui Xinwei(桂新伟), the deputy commander of the border inspection station(who is part of the rescue team) in an interview, where he says he would do anything so his comrades come back safely. honestly very depressing to watch.)

However, many family members of border police at the station have reported their family members missing; here are some links to a compilation of posts of reportedly missing personnel made by weibo users. (post 1, post 2, post 3)

As of August 29, the current casualty count for the chinese side is 16 confirmed dead, 546 missing(including 260 foreignors); the number for confirmed deaths is unfortunelately almost certainly to increase.. Police vests and handbags have reportedly been found in the debris.