At least 160 dead, over 750 missing after Nepal-China border flash flood
At least 160 people have been killed and 761 others are reported missing after a massive flash flood and mudslide swept through communities along rivers near Nepal’s border with China, according to officials. The missing includes hundreds of tourists from nearly 30 countries.
The flooding swept through towns and communities along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers in Nepal and across the border in Tibet, China. Its cause is still being assessed, but preliminary information indicates that a glacier collapse and debris flow obstructed the river before the blockage gave way, sending catastrophic flooding downstream.
Nepal Police said in an update Wednesday that 157 people have been confirmed dead and 41 others were injured. The agency said 28 police personnel are missing.
The Nepal Tourism Board has listed 468 people as missing in the flooding, including 393 foreign nationals and 75 Nepalis. The figure includes 52 foreign nationals and 13 Nepalis whose details were still pending. Together with the 28 missing police personnel, at least 496 people are reported missing in Nepal.
The list includes 47 people from the United States, 34 from Australia, 33 from the United Kingdom and 24 from Canada. It also lists 133 Indians as missing, along with nationals from France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, South Africa and other countries.
The overall number of local residents missing remains unclear, though local media reports indicate it may be significant.
China has separately reported that three people were killed and 265 others are missing in Tibet, according to Xinhua. It was not immediately clear whether those figures include tourists or other foreign nationals.
Footage from the affected area showed homes and other buildings washed away along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, with some communities almost completely destroyed.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said what was initially reported as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake was actually a glacial collapse and debris flow, based on analysis of seismic data and satellite imagery. It said the event caused catastrophic impacts downstream and that no earthquake had occurred.
The U.S. State Department said it was “in touch with the Government of Nepal” and “stand[s] ready to assist.” India, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada have also offered assistance.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said WHO Nepal had mobilized and dispatched emergency medical supplies and was providing field-level care to affected communities.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
