Thirty-three UK tourists are unaccounted for after major flash floods hit Nepal on Wednesday, with more than 400 people in total missing. The Nepal Tourist Board has reportedly said the number of missing people has risen to 403, including 33 British citizens, after an avalanche of ice and rock triggered the floods.
Missing numbers rise
According to the tourist board in Nepal, 203 of the missing are male and 200 female. Local media reports said at least 95 people have died. Earlier on Wednesday, a tour operator said 12 British nationals were missing, including a 13-year-old girl, as well as two Irish citizens, but this number has now risen.
The floods came after the Bhotekoshi river flooded around 9am on Wednesday, destroying several villages, roads and hydropower projects, officials said. Sunil Sharma, a tourism board spokesman, said 133 of the missing were from India on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus. Also missing were 47 from the United States, 34 from Australia, 33 from Britain and 24 from Canada, he said.
Local and official impact
At least 62 missing Nepali citizens were among hundreds of locals trekking in the Gosaikunda lake in Rasuwa, coinciding with the local festival of Janai Purnima on Friday, Mr Sharma added. Nepal police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle told The Associated Press that at least 28 police officials were missing.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has urged Brits in Nepal to follow local authority advice. 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.
Official responses
“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.”
The FCDO also said those seeking consular assistance should call (+44) (0)207 008 5000 or (+977) (0)14237100. The British embassy in Kathmandu said it is “deeply saddened” by the flash floods and urged people in affected areas to follow local advice.
A joint statement with the embassies of Australia, the EU, Finland, France, Norway and Switzerland said: “We are deeply saddened by the devastating flooding in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts and surrounding areas. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this disaster. We express our solidarity with the people of Nepal during this difficult time. We encourage all those in affected areas to follow the guidance of local authorities and official safety advisories as the situation continues to evolve.”
