Dozens of British nationals are missing in Nepal following flash floods, according to local officials. The Nepal Prime Minister's Office said at least 95 people are dead after flash floods in the Rasuwa region of Nepal bordering Tibet.
Missing numbers rise
The Nepal Tourist Board said the number of missing people had risen from 384 to 403, with 33 UK citizens among 341 foreign nationals unaccounted for. According to the tourist board, 203 of the missing are male and 200 female.
Sunil Sharma, a tourism board spokesman, said 133 of those missing were from India on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet – a sacred site for Hindus. Also among the missing were 47 people from the US, 34 from Australia, and 24 from Canada, he added.
Official response
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said: “I am deeply concerned to hear of the flash floods on the Nepal-China border. All my thoughts are with those affected and with British nationals in the area and their relatives here at home.”
Baroness Winterton, parliamentary under-secretary of state for Indo-Pacific, said it was “heartbreaking to see the loss and damage caused by the Rasuwa flood in Nepal”. The Labour life peer added: “Sending our thoughts to all those affected by the disaster. We are working closely with the Nepalese authorities following concerning reports of British nationals who are missing. We encourage British nationals in Nepal to follow guidance from the local authorities and remain alert to the changing situation.”
Tour operator details
Earlier on Wednesday, tour operator Alpine Eco Trek said a 13-year-old girl was among the missing British nationals, as well as two Irish citizens. The firm, which offers guided tours and expeditions in Nepal, confirmed four of its Nepalese tour guides – aged 38, 35, 45 and 29 – are missing as well. The ages of the missing British citizens on the firm's tour range from 13 to 65, according to travel logs shared with the Press Association.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the floods in Nepal”. It added: “British nationals in Nepal should follow local authority advice and exercise caution while travelling. For consular assistance call (+44) (0)207 008 5000 or (+977) (0)14237100.”
The Nepal Tourism Board said its staff and tourist police are “working to verify the whereabouts and safety status of tourists and travellers who were in or travelling through the affected areas”.
