Thirty-three British nationals, including a 13-year-old girl, are among hundreds of people feared missing after flash floods swept through villages along Nepal's border with Tibet. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Nepal following the disaster.
579 people missing across 29 countries
At least 579 people are missing in total, including 466 foreign nationals from 29 different countries, according to Nepal's police. The local force said 113 of the missing tourists are Nepalese, and 54 are from the US.
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.
FCDO updates travel advice
Following the disaster, the FCDO updated its travel advice page on Nepal, adding a section on the flash floods. It read: "On 26 August 2026, major flooding in Rasuwa district and the Nepal-China border area caused widespread damage. Buildings, roads, other transport and communications infrastructure have been severely damaged. Other areas in Nepal, including Chitwan, have also been affected."
The advice continued: "The Nepalese authorities and emergency services are responding. The situation may change rapidly. If you are travelling in the region, follow the advice of the Nepalese government and local authorities and be alert to the changing situation. The Nepalese government has established a toll-free emergency Nepalese language number, 1234, and a dedicated hotline 1144 accessible in Nepal."
People who need assistance can contact, from Nepal, +977 (0)14237100 and from the UK: +44 (0) 207 008 5000.
Government response and consular support
In a separate message, the FCDO said it is working closely with Nepalese authorities "following concerning reports of British nationals who are missing" and has encouraged Brits to follow local guidance and "remain alert to the changing situation".
The department posted a statement from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Baroness Winterton on X: "Heartbreaking to see the loss and damage caused by the Rasuwa flood in Nepal. 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."
In a joint statement with Australia, the EU, Finland, France, Norway and Switzerland, the UK embassy in Nepal urged British nationals in Nepal to "exercise caution in affected areas".
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. According to the company's travel logs, shared with PA, the age of the missing British citizens ranges from 13 to 65.
Nepal's prime minister's office said the missing also included 44 army personnel, 28 police, 13 armed police and 60 people working on power projects. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said he is "deeply concerned" by the flash floods on the Nepal-China border, adding his "thoughts are with those affected and with British nationals in the area".
