KATHMANDU: A wall of mud and rock appeared to collapse into a river on the Himalayan border of Nepal and China’s Tibet on Wednesday (Aug 26), triggering catastrophic flooding on the Nepali side that killed at least 19 people and left hundreds of tourists missing.
In a still-unfolding disaster, verified videos showed dozens of people swept away at the border, with authorities on both sides fearing far higher casualties and massive destruction.
“A preliminary agency-wise record received from tourism and travel companies has identified 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, who were reported missing from the affected areas,” said Nepal Tourism Board, noting authorities were working to verify the travellers’ whereabouts.
The 291 foreign tourists were from countries including India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Malaysia, said officials.
South Korean news agency Yonhap separately reported that about eight of its nationals were also unaccounted for in Nepal.
Images shared by Nepali police showed floodwater surging through a river, sweeping away houses in its path, while AFP images depicted the top floor of a house sticking out from muddy soil.
Initial reports suggested that an earthquake in the area could have triggered an avalanche and caused the floods, Nepal’s foreign minister Shisir Khanal told the country’s parliament on Wednesday, local media reported.
“Nineteen bodies have been recovered so far. We are intensely coordinating the rescue and relief efforts. Many in our police force are also out of contact,” Nepal police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle said.
The Nepal Army said it had deployed helicopters and disaster response personnel to the affected area.
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