The first teams of professional firefighters from Xizang Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province reached the Gyirong Port border crossing at around 4:30 p.m. on August 28.

Six firefighters from the Xizang Fire and Rescue Corps and 15 firefighters with one search and rescue dog from the Sichuan Fire and Rescue Corps made up the first wave.

They are the first professional rescue teams to reach the hardest-hit area.