A 13-year-old girl is among 33 British nationals missing in Nepal after catastrophic flash floods killed over 160 people and left hundreds unaccounted for. The floods struck the Rasuwa region, which borders Tibet, and have prompted emergency searches for dozens of UK citizens.
British nationals among the missing
Tour operator Alpine Eco Trek said the 13-year-old girl was among the missing British nationals, along with two Irish citizens. Travel logs obtained by the Press Association indicate that the missing British nationals include three men aged 65, 64, and 52, and seven women aged 44, 47, 51, 60, 63, 63, and 65.
Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority confirmed on Thursday morning that 165 bodies had been retrieved after severe flooding struck the Rasuwa region. Officials reported the number of missing individuals had surged from 403 to 826, while the Nepal Tourism Board revealed on Wednesday that 33 UK nationals were among 341 foreign visitors who remained unaccounted for.
Glacial collapse and debris flow
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude 5.2 seismic event struck near the Nepal-China border on Wednesday at 8.37am local time. The organisation noted that a "glacial collapse and debris flow" triggered "subsequent catastrophic impacts downstream". According to the USGS assessment: "This event was initially reported as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake. Additional analysis of nearby seismic stations, long period seismic waves, and satellite imagery led to the determination that the seismic event was instead a glacial collapse and debris flow, and that no earthquake had occurred."
In Tibet, at least three people were reported by China's state broadcaster CCTV, while the Xinhua News Agency indicated 558 individuals were missing across the region. Rivers burst their banks due to flash flooding, spreading dense mud throughout inhabited areas, submerging homes and hampering rescue operations significantly.
Eyewitness accounts and rescue efforts
Kalpana Malla, from Nepal's Nuwakot district, told BBC News: "My family members were swept away by the flood in front of my eyes." Ms Malla revealed that her father, mother, sister, and her sister's children had all been carried away by the floodwaters, adding: "They could not escape the flood, there was no chance at all. This flood took everything, but my son and I climbed the rooftop of a house and survived, but couldn't explain how."
Rajan Shrestha, the mayor of Bidur municipality, told The Times that he had "never seen such a massive flood in my life" and estimated that around 400 people may have been swept away, adding: "And it came so fast. We could not evacuate all the people from the main town."
Tourists and tour operators affected
Sunil Sharma, a tourism board spokesman, confirmed that 133 of those unaccounted for were Indian nationals undertaking a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet – a site of great religious significance for Hindus. He further noted that 47 of the missing were from the US, 34 from Australia, and 24 from Canada. According to the tourist board, 203 of those missing are male and 200 female.
Alpine Eco Trek, which specialises in guided tours and expeditions across Nepal, also confirmed that four of its Nepalese tour guides – aged 38, 35, 45, and 29 – are unaccounted for. Kumar Adhikari, manager at Alpine Eco Trek, said: "I feel so sad. We are just thinking about what to do next. We are in pain at the moment, deep pain."
Mr Adhikari explained that the touring party, embarking on a nine-day expedition to Mount Kailash, found themselves stranded at the Nepal-Tibet border when flash flooding hit as they attempted to cross. He maintained communication with his tour guides until 8.40am, when their mobile phones ceased functioning—a time when the group would have been situated within Tibet's immigration facility. "We were hoping that inside it was safe," he stated. "But later the video came from China's government which (showed) even Tibet's side was hit by the flood."
Travel operator Kailash Journeys verified that seven British citizens—comprising five women and two men ranging in age from 18 to 55—remained unaccounted for amongst those travelling with the firm.
Government response
Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged on Wednesday that the Government will do "everything we can" to assist British citizens in Nepal following the devastating floods. 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 further stated: "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."
