Dozens killed and hundreds missing after sudden flood in northern Nepal
Dozens reported dead and nearly 400 people—including many foreign tourists—are missing after a quake-triggered landslide caused a flood in northern Nepal; Tibet also reports heavy losses.
A sudden, deadly flood swept through northern Nepal, killing dozens and leaving hundreds unaccounted for as rescuers race to reach isolated settlements.
Authorities say nearly 400 people are currently missing, including at least 290 foreign tourists. Among the missing are citizens of India, Australia, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.
Rescue efforts hampered by conditions
The flood, which devastated several villages in the north of Nepal, was triggered by an earthquake that in turn set off a large landslide, according to the country’s foreign minister. Rescue helicopters are unable to land in the hardest-hit areas while floodwaters remain, complicating searches for survivors; Nepali police and the army have joined the operations.
The disaster also struck Tibet, the autonomous region of China, where state media reported there were "a large number of victims." Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered search-and-rescue operations there.
Officials warn the death toll may still rise as teams work to reach remote communities and water levels begin to fall. The combination of landslides, swift currents and damaged access routes is slowing relief and recovery efforts.
Search-and-rescue missions continue under difficult conditions as authorities try to account for the missing and recover the dead, while countries with citizens among the unaccounted-for are monitoring the situation.
Photo: Vincenzo Maria Coronelli / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
