Two Australian families, including children, are among a group of tourists missing and feared dead after floods and landslides struck the Nepal-Tibet border region, according to officials.
Tourists caught in disaster
The group, which included Australian citizens, was travelling in the area when sudden flooding and landslides occurred. Local authorities in Nepal confirmed that several foreign nationals are unaccounted for, with the Australians among them.
Rescue teams have been deployed to the affected region, but difficult terrain and continuing bad weather have hampered efforts. The exact number of missing tourists has not been officially confirmed.
Impact of extreme weather
The floods and landslides were triggered by heavy rainfall that has lashed the Himalayan region in recent days. The disaster has caused widespread damage to roads and infrastructure, isolating several villages and complicating rescue operations.
Officials in Nepal have said that the search for the missing tourists is ongoing, with the Australian government offering consular assistance to the families of those affected.
