Powerful flash floods triggered by an avalanche have devastated Nepal's Himalayas along the Bhotekoshi river, killing dozens and leaving hundreds missing, including many foreign nationals.
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Key facts
- Al Jazeera reported at least 95 killed in avalanche-triggered flash floods in Nepal's Himalayas.
- CNBC reported at least 157 killed across Nepal and China.
- Nepal's Tourist Board said at least 403 people were reported missing, including 341 foreign nationals.
- A local tourism official said 34 Australians were believed missing, while 47 Americans were also reported unaccounted for.
- Floods swept away houses, roads and bridges along the Bhotekoshi river on the Nepal-Tibet border.
Flash floods have devastated Nepal’s Himalayas, washing away villages and infrastructure along the Bhotekoshi river, according to Al Jazeera, which reported at least 95 people killed and hundreds missing. The floods, described as being triggered by an avalanche, swept through the Nepal-Tibet border area, destroying houses, roads and bridges.
Casualty figures reported across outlets varied. CNBC reported that at least 157 people were killed after flash floods struck Nepal and China. According to the Nepal Tourist Board, as reported by Press Association and cited by the Guardian, at least 403 people were reported missing, with 341 of them foreign nationals unaccounted for.
Among those missing were tourists from several countries. A local tourism official said they believed 34 Australians were missing in the area, among hundreds of foreign nationals, the Guardian reported. CNBC reported that 47 of those missing were from the United States.
Australia’s government said it was urgently working to confirm the welfare of its citizens in the region. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) officials were ready to provide consular assistance to Australians in Nepal following the flooding.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement that the loss of life and destruction caused by the flash flooding in Nepal and China was devastating. “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those killed or missing and all affected by this disaster,” she said, adding that DFAT officials were urgently working to confirm the welfare of Australians in the area.
DFAT said it was aware of a “number” of Australians in the affected area and that officials stood ready to provide consular assistance. The department advised Australians in the affected area to follow the advice of local authorities, and said it was liaising with local authorities and tour operators. Officials said they were not confirming exact numbers at this stage.
Why it matters
The disaster underscores the vulnerability of Himalayan communities and the many international tourists who travel there to sudden, catastrophic flooding. With hundreds of people missing across multiple countries, governments are scrambling to locate their citizens and provide consular support in a region where infrastructure has been heavily damaged.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have died in the Nepal flash floods?
Reported death tolls varied by outlet. Al Jazeera reported at least 95 killed in Nepal's Himalayas, while CNBC reported at least 157 killed across Nepal and China.
How many people are missing?
According to the Nepal Tourist Board, as reported by Press Association, at least 403 people were reported missing, with 341 of them foreign nationals unaccounted for.
Were foreign tourists affected?
Yes. A local tourism official said 34 Australians were believed missing, and CNBC reported that 47 of those missing were from the United States, among hundreds of foreign nationals.
Timeline
- Photos: More than 1,300 missing in Nepal and Tibet after deadly floods
Al Jazeera: Glacier collapse sends floods over Nepal-China border, killing at least 270 and leaving more than 1,300 missing.
- News live: dozens of Australians believed to be among hundreds missing in Nepal flash floods
The Guardian World: Powerful floods in Himalayan border area sweep away houses, roads and bridges. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The prime minister, Anthony Albanese , says Dfat officials are ready to provide consular assistance to Australians
- News live: dozens of Australians believed to be among hundreds of foreign tourists missing in Nepal flash floods
The Guardian World: Powerful floods in Himalayan border area sweep away houses, roads and bridges. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Good morning, Nick Visser here to pick up the blog. Let’s get to it. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (D
- Dozens of Australians believed to be among hundreds of foreign tourists missing in Nepal flash floods
The Guardian World: Powerful floods in Himalayan border area sweep away houses, roads and bridges Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Dozens of Australian tourists are reportedly missing in the deadly flash floods that swept through the Nepal-Tibet border, as the Australian
- Dozens of Australians believed to be among hundreds of people missing in Nepal flash floods
The Guardian World: Powerful floods in Himalayan border area sweep away houses, roads and bridges Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Dozens of Australian tourists are reportedly missing in the deadly flash floods that s
- Australia news live: dozens of Australians believed to be among hundreds of foreign tourists missing in Nepal flash floods
The Guardian World: Powerful floods in Himalayan border area sweep away houses, roads and bridges. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, says the government is urgently trying to confirm the welfare of Australi
- At least 157 killed and hundreds missing after flash floods in Nepal and China
CNBC Top News: At least 403 people, including 47 from the United States, were reported missing, officials in Nepal said.
- Photos: Avalanche floods kill 95, hundreds missing in Nepal’s Himalayas
Al Jazeera: Flash floods devastate Nepal's Himalayas, washing away villages and infrastructure along the Bhotekoshi river.