Twelve British nationals, including a 13-year-old girl, and two Irish citizens are among almost 400 people unaccounted for following a sudden flash flood in Nepal. The country's tourism board has confirmed that 384 individuals are currently missing.
British Tour Group Affected
Alpine Eco Trek, a company providing guided tours and expeditions in Nepal, confirmed to the Press Association that 12 British nationals participating in its tour across the Nepal-Tibet border were reported missing on Wednesday (August 25). Ram Kumar Adhikari, the manager of Alpine Eco Trek, revealed that two Irish citizens and four South African nationals who were also part of the excursion are presumed missing.
Speaking to the Press Association from the disaster-stricken area, Mr Kumar Adhikari stated there was "not much info to share at the moment, but yes we have 12 British citizens (supposed) to make entry this morning".
Death Toll and Missing Numbers
According to travel logs shared with PA, the ages of the missing British nationals range from 13 to 65. At least 95 people have been confirmed dead in Nepal following the disaster, with a further three deaths reported on the Tibetan side of the border, the Independent reported.
The Nepal Tourism Board has put the total number of missing at 403, including 341 foreign nationals from 26 countries and 61 Nepali nationals, the BBC reported. The same tour group was reported to include two missing Irish citizens, four South Africans and four Nepali tour guides, the Guardian reported. South Korea’s foreign ministry has also said eight South Koreans working on a local hydropower plant are missing.
Rescue Efforts and Warnings
Rescuers are continuing the grim task of searching affected areas as fears grow that the toll could rise. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it is working directly with Nepalese authorities to help locate missing British citizens.
A joint statement from the British, Australian, EU, French and Swiss embassies urged everyone in the area to follow the guidance of local authorities closely. Urgent travel warnings have been issued for several areas, with local officials ordering tourists in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and around the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river regions to take extreme caution and move to higher ground.
Anyone planning to travel to these areas in the coming days is being strongly urged to postpone their journeys.
