China hides footage of deadly Tibet flash floods, victim details remain scarce

Beijing – Authorities have withheld several hours of video that captured the most intense moments of the recent flash‑flooding that swept through parts of southern China, officials said. The floods, which struck the provinces of Guizhou and Hunan in early June, resulted in at least 28 deaths and left dozens missing, according to the National Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters. Emergency responders deployed over 3,000 rescue personnel and more than 500 vehicles to evacuate residents, while local governments declared a state of emergency and mobilised additional resources for relief and reconstruction.

State media confirmed that the footage, recorded by drones and ground cameras, is being retained for internal review and will not be released to the public pending verification of its content. Officials cited concerns over the potential spread of misinformation and the need to protect the privacy of victims and their families. The decision aligns with longstanding practices in China of limiting the dissemination of graphic disaster imagery, a policy that has drawn criticism from international observers who argue that greater transparency could aid humanitarian efforts and public awareness.