Nearly 1,500 Missing in Nepal-China Border Floods

Nearly 1,500 people are missing after devastating flash floods and landslides hit Nepal and China’s Tibet region. Around 800 of the missing are foreign nationals. The disaster occurred on Wednesday (August 26) after a massive landslide of rocks and earth fell into a Himalayan river, triggering sudden flooding across large areas.

According to Reuters, citing Nepalese police, tourism authorities and China’s state broadcaster CCTV, 826 people are currently missing in Nepal. Around 500 of them are foreign nationals, including 177 Indians, 63 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 Britons and 25 Canadians.

Meanwhile, CCTV reported that 558 people are missing in Tibet’s Gyirong County, including 260 foreigners. Chinese authorities have so far confirmed three deaths there.

Videos verified on social media showed people fleeing powerful currents of mud, rocks and water in the border area. Homes, roads and power infrastructure were swept away.

Many of those missing were reportedly pilgrims travelling to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus and Buddhists. Rescue operations are continuing.