At least 341 foreign nationals are among hundreds of people still missing as search and rescue operations continue following devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet.
The figures emerged after authorities reported that at least 160 people had been killed and hundreds remained unaccounted for after a massive flash flood swept through villages in Nepal, damaging roads, bridges and hydropower projects in areas near Tibet.
Nepal attracts hikers and climbers from around the world, with many travelling to the Himalayan nation to challenge themselves on the world’s highest peak. Nationals from India, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea and other countries are among those reported missing as rescue efforts continue.
Late Wednesday, Nepal Police said 157 bodies had been recovered, while officers continued efforts to move people away from high-risk areas.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s Tourism Ministry said about 403 tourists, including 341 foreigners, remained unaccounted for following the flash floods.
Police spokesman Abi Narayan Kafle said 28 police personnel were also missing.
Across the border, Chinese authorities reported that at least three people had died and another 265 remained missing in Gyirong county in Tibet.
Amid the devastation, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah urged the country to remain united.
“Please be patient. The government takes full responsibility for your rescue, treatment, food and shelter. In times of such a disaster, we all need to stand together,” Shah said in a statement shared on social media.
Foreign nationals reported missing
According to Nepal’s Tourism Board, 142 Indian nationals were reported missing. The authorities said the missing Indians were travelling with three agencies: Samrat Tours + Travels, Leaf Holiday and Himalayan Glacier.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said Nepal’s Tourist Police had informed it that 53 Ukrainian nationals were considered missing. This included a group of 46 Ukrainian tourists with whom Nepalese authorities had lost contact.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday morning that 34 Australians were missing.
In Malaysia, Nepal’s Tourism Board said 17 Malaysians travelling with Fishtail Tours + Travels were missing in the floods. Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, however, said its embassy in Kathmandu had received reports from travel agencies that contact had been lost with 11 Malaysian nationals believed to be in Rasuwa district.
Search efforts continue
The United Kingdom had 33 nationals reported missing, including 12 British citizens travelling in the region with Alpine Eco Trek, according to the Tourism Board.
South Korean officials confirmed that eight hydropower workers were out of contact in Rasuwa district following the floods.
The Tourism Board said three US nationals travelling with Fishtail Tours + Travels were unaccounted for, bringing the total number of missing Americans to 47.
Four South Africans travelling with the same Alpine Eco Trek agency as the missing British nationals were also reported missing.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry said two Italian nationals and their guide were stranded upstream from a landslide but were receiving assistance. The ministry said it was aware of 90 Italian citizens in Nepal and Tibet but did not know whether any had been affected.
A Portuguese woman was also reported missing in the floods, according to her country’s Foreign Ministry.
Nepalese government spokesman Sasmit Pokharel said the country had asked both India and China to assist with the rescue efforts.
“We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts,” he said.
Floods devastate Rasuwa district
The Nepal Tourism Board said 17 Malaysians were among 291 foreign nationals reported missing after floods struck Rasuwa district.
The board said the missing Malaysians were travelling with Fishtail Tours and Travels.
At least 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese were reported uncontactable, with police and tour operators working to locate them, according to a situation update issued in the afternoon.
Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said earlier that 11 Malaysians believed to be in Rasuwa district had lost contact following the floods.
It said the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu was actively coordinating with local authorities.
“The search and rescue teams currently being deployed by the Nepalese government are working to locate the affected Malaysians and ascertain their safety,” it said.
The Bhote Koshi River flood swept away villages and destroyed roads, buildings and hydropower projects in the Rasuwagadhi-Timure area of Nepal.
Videos shared by Nepal Police and others on social media showed torrents of muddy water crashing through mountain valleys in the Himalayan district bordering China.
Media reports said flash floods caused by the overflow of the Bhote Koshi River struck Rasuwa district in northern Nepal on Wednesday morning, damaging market areas, residential areas and infrastructure.
Tibet also reported “major casualties”, with people missing in the neighbouring Gyirong county after a mudslide hit a land crossing between China and Nepal, according to Xinhua news agency.
