Nepal Flash Flood: Over 500 Missing in Tibet, Hundreds of Tourists Unaccounted For

Authorities in Nepal and Tibet are grappling with the aftermath of a devastating flash flood, fearing the death toll could significantly exceed the current count of at least 160. The catastrophic event was triggered by a massive collapse of mud and rock into a river on the border of Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, resulting in widespread destruction of homes, roads, and border crossings.

Verified videos show people being swept away by the torrent, intensifying concerns over higher casualties and extensive damage. Officials in Tibet have reported "major casualties" following a mudslide at a border crossing in Gyirong county.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing as night falls, with the grim task of recovering and identifying bodies continuing. As of now, Nepal police have recovered 157 bodies, while three deaths have been reported on the Tibetan side. The US Geological Survey initially reported seismic activity that was later identified as a glacial collapse and debris flow, causing significant downstream impacts.

The disaster has left numerous villages and markets "wiped out," according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which is mobilizing emergency supplies.

Among the missing are hundreds of foreign tourists. Nepal's tourism ministry reported that at least 403 tourists, including 341 foreigners, were unaccounted for. This group includes a significant number of individuals from India, the UK, the US, Australia, and Canada, among other nationalities. Nine South Korean citizens are also reported missing.

In addition to civilian casualties, at least 28 Nepal police officials are also missing.

Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate those missing. The US Geological Survey clarified that the initial seismic event was a glacial collapse and debris flow, not an earthquake, which led to "catastrophic impacts."

Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of the disaster. One individual described being rescued while his wife was swept away by the mudslide, with her fate still unknown. Another survivor recounted clinging to a mango tree as the house he was working in disappeared.

The cause of the flooding is believed to be a landslide, possibly triggered by an earthquake, that blocked a river, causing it to overflow. Satellite data suggests a "snow-rock landslide" on the Nepal-China border may have been the cause. Experts warn that a lingering blockage upstream could potentially lead to a second flood. Climate change is increasingly cited as a factor contributing to the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events in the region.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has emphasized the "most urgent task" is to conduct thorough search and rescue operations for the missing.

English Translation and Rephrased Text:

The US Geological Survey states that a glacial collapse triggered seismic activity and caused "catastrophic" consequences downstream in Nepal and Tibet. The agency clarified that the seismic activity initially thought to be an earthquake was, in fact, a glacial collapse and debris flow, leading to severe downstream impacts.

Authorities in both Nepal and Tibet are concerned that the death toll from the severe flooding could be considerably higher than the current figure of over 160. The flash flood, caused by a large volume of mud and rock descending into a river along the Nepal-Tibet border, has destroyed numerous homes, roads, and border infrastructure. Verified video footage depicts individuals being swept away, fueling fears of even greater loss of life and extensive devastation. Tibetan officials have indicated "major casualties" due to a mudslide at the Gyirong border crossing. Recovery and identification efforts are ongoing amidst difficult conditions.

Nepali police have recovered 157 bodies so far, with three reported fatalities in Tibet. The initial assessment by Nepalese officials suggested an earthquake might have caused a glacier to collapse, initiating the floods. However, the USGS later concluded that the tremor was a result of glacial rock and ice falling into the valley.

Hundreds of people remain missing, including many foreign tourists. Nepal's tourism ministry reports that over 400 tourists, a majority of them foreign nationals, are unaccounted for. The affected nationalities include a large contingent from India, followed by individuals from the UK, the US, Australia, and Canada, among others. Additionally, nine South Korean citizens are missing, and at least 28 Nepali police officers have not been accounted for.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has described entire villages and marketplaces as having been "wiped out" and is providing essential relief supplies.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has confirmed that UN teams are mobilizing resources and personnel to assist those affected in Nepal. Surveillance footage from the Chinese border captured a powerful mud and debris flow engulfing a building and sweeping away vehicles. Experts have also cautioned about the potential for a secondary flood if the upstream blockage persists.

While the exact cause is still under investigation, initial reports suggest a landslide, possibly triggered by an earthquake, dammed a river, leading to the flood. Satellite data points towards a "snow-rock landslide" on the Nepal-China border as a likely cause. The role of climate change in exacerbating extreme weather events in the region is also a significant consideration.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the immediate priority of intensifying search and rescue efforts for the missing.

What's Happening:

• Rescue operations are in full swing to find hundreds missing after flash floods and landslides that have claimed at least 160 lives. Many of the missing are reported to be foreign tourists.
• Nepali police have confirmed the recovery of 157 bodies following "devastating floods." Authorities are relocating residents from flood-prone areas. Chinese state media reports "major casualties" in Tibet, with three confirmed deaths and 265 missing from a mudslide. The overall death toll is expected to rise.
• Tibet's government has deployed nearly 800 emergency personnel, 150 vehicles, sniffer dogs, and speed boats for the rescue efforts.
• At least 403 tourists, including 341 foreigners, were reported missing. The nationalities of the missing foreigners include a substantial number from India, the UK, the US, Australia, and Canada, along with others from South Korea, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Portugal, and South Africa. Nine South Koreans are confirmed missing.
• A total of 28 Nepal police officials are also among the missing.
• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reports that entire villages and markets have been destroyed and is sending emergency supplies.
• UN chief António Guterres stated that UN teams and partners are mobilizing aid and personnel in Nepal.
• Surveillance video depicts a massive mud and debris flow overwhelming a building and sweeping away vehicles on the Chinese border.
• Experts have warned of the possibility of a secondary flood due to a continuing blockage upstream on the Nepal-China border river.
• The flooding's cause is under investigation, with an earthquake likely triggering a landslide that dammed a river. Satellite data suggests a "snow-rock landslide." Climate change is noted as a factor in increasing extreme weather events.
• Chinese leader Xi Jinping has prioritized "everything possible" for the search and rescue of those missing.
• The US Geological Survey initially reported a magnitude-4.4 earthquake, later revising it to a 5.2-magnitude landslide.

English Translation:

A glacial collapse caused seismic activity and “catastrophic” downstream impacts in Nepal and Tibet, according to the US Geological Survey. The agency clarified that seismic activity initially reported as an earthquake was instead a glacial collapse and debris flow that caused subsequent severe consequences downstream.

Authorities in Nepal and Tibet fear the death toll from catastrophic flooding could be significantly higher than the 160 already reported killed, as search and rescue efforts for the hundreds missing continue. A massive wall of mud and rock collapsed into a river on the border of Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, triggering the flash flood that swept away houses, roads, and border crossings. Verified videos show dozens of people being carried away at the border, leading authorities on both sides to anticipate much higher casualties and extensive destruction. Officials in Tibet reported "major casualties" following a mudslide at a border land crossing in Gyirong county. As night fell, authorities continued the challenging task of recovering and identifying bodies. Nepal police have recovered 157 bodies so far, with three reported deaths on the Tibet side. Initial reports from Nepal suggested an earthquake might have caused a glacier to collapse and trigger the floods, but the USGS later stated the tremor was due to the glacial rock and ice collapsing.

• Rescue teams are working urgently on Thursday to find hundreds of people missing after the flood and landslides killed at least 160 people. Many of the missing are foreign tourists, officials stated.

• Nepali police have recovered 157 bodies following “devastating floods”, with officers working to evacuate residents from flood-risk areas. Chinese state media reported “major casualties” from a mudslide at a Tibet border hub, reporting three deaths and another 265 missing. The overall death toll is likely to increase.

• Tibet government officials have mobilized nearly 800 emergency workers and 150 vehicles, along with sniffer dogs and speed boats, to aid rescue efforts, according to China’s Xinhua news agency.

• At least 403 tourists – 341 of them foreigners – were unaccounted for hours after the disaster struck on Wednesday morning, according to Nepal’s tourism ministry. The missing foreigners include 142 from India, 33 from the UK, 47 from the US, 34 from Australia, and 24 from Canada, as well as others from South Korea, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Portugal, and South Africa. Nine South Koreans are missing, confirmed by the country’s foreign ministry.

• At least 28 Nepal police officials are missing, a police spokesperson confirmed.

• Entire villages and markets were “wiped out”, stated the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which is dispatching emergency supplies including blankets, first aid kits, stretchers, and body bags.

• United Nations chief António Guterres said UN teams and partners are mobilizing supplies and personnel in Nepal to support affected communities.

• Surveillance video from the Chinese side of the border showed a raging wall of mud and debris crashing over a multi-story building, engulfing it as dozens of people fled. The surge swept away buses and cars.

• Experts warned that a persistent blockage upstream on the Nepal-China border river could lead to a second flood.

• The cause of the flooding is not yet clear. Nepal’s foreign minister, Shishir Khanal, suggested an earthquake likely triggered a landslide that blocked a river, causing the overflow. Nepal’s disaster authority indicated satellite data points to a “snow-rock landslide” on the Nepal-China border as the cause. Scientists highlight that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region.

• Chinese leader Xi Jinping stated, “the most urgent task is doing everything possible to search for and rescue the missing people,” according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

• The US Geological Survey initially reported a magnitude-4.4 earthquake on Wednesday morning near the border. It later updated its assessment to describe the event as a 5.2-magnitude landslide.