BBC Breakfast opened its Thursday, August 27 broadcast with a tragic update: a massive mudslide and flash flood in the border region between Nepal and Tibet has killed at least 160 people, with hundreds more missing. Among those unaccounted for are 33 British citizens.
Rescue teams search through the night
Presenters Charlie Stayt and Sarah Campbell shared the news at the start of the programme, with weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas also in the studio. Charlie told viewers: “Good Morning. Our main story today, rescue teams have been working through the night to locate survivors after a massive mudslide in the border region between Nepal and Tibet. More than 160 people killed and hundreds still missing including 33 from the UK.”
The disaster struck in the Rasuwa district, north of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, with huge amounts of mud, rock and water sweeping through the region. Homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure were destroyed, and the scale of the disaster has made rescue efforts extremely difficult.
International aid pledged
Sarah continued with details of the international response, saying: “A flood struck in the Rasuwa district north of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. The United States has promised half a million dollars in aid, which will be put towards emergency shelter, water and sanitation.”
Rescue teams have been working throughout the night to locate survivors and recover those who have died, with helicopters being used to reach areas cut off by the flooding and destruction. The programme then cut to a report from reporter Aruna Lyenger, who gave further details of the devastation and the ongoing rescue operation.
Governments respond
The full extent of the disaster is still becoming clear, with authorities continuing to search for hundreds of people who remain missing. Families are anxiously waiting for news of loved ones as rescue workers battle difficult conditions in the affected region.
Nepal's prime minister said "the entire nation has been left shocked and deeply distressed" and that officials would coordinate with China on the response. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the British government would do "everything we can" to support British nationals in Nepal. BBC Breakfast airs every day from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
