At least 97 people have been killed and 384 remain missing in the flash floods triggered by an earthquake in Nepal, according to Nepali Army officials. The missing include British and Australian tourists.
Rescue efforts ongoing
Rescue efforts are continuing on Thursday morning (August 27) to save as many people as possible in the devastating floods affecting Nepal and China. Videos released by the Nepali Army show soldiers searching for survivors, including one clip of three troops giving a man covered in mud a piggyback to safety, while others show soldiers wading through mud to carry stretchers to the injured.
A spokesperson said 54 people have been rescued in the affected zone, which covers both Nepal and China. Helicopters have been deployed as part of the rescue mission.
Cause of the floods
The flash floods were triggered by an earthquake near the two countries' border. Records show a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Kodari at 8:37am local time (3:52am in the UK) on Wednesday (August 26). That led to an avalanche in the Himalayas that “eventually caused the collapse of glacial lakes in the Tibet region of China”, said Nepal foreign minister Sishir Khanal.
Mr Khanal added: “Equipped with helicopters, drones and rafting boards, rescuers from all state forces — Nepal Police, Armed Police and Nepal Army — were deployed to the flood-hit area.”
Widespread damage and missing tourists
Missing people come from the UK, Australia, the Netherlands, Nepal, India, and South Africa. In Nepal, at least 19 bridges and 200 trucks have been swept away, and 25 miles of road and 13 hydroelectric projects have also been damaged.
In China, it is unclear how many people have been killed, wounded, or have gone missing in the disaster. State-run media has reported a mudslide near the Gyirong Port. Reports said: “The disaster has cut off roads leading to the port on the Chinese side, as well as communications and power supplies.”
International response
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered “all-out efforts” to find survivors. Xi also called for an evacuation and medical treatment in the affected area. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered humanitarian aid to Nepal. Modi said on X: "Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts."
