Hundreds missing, including 291 foreign tourists, after deadly flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border

Hundreds missing, including 291 foreign tourists, after deadly flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border

Summary

Hundreds of travellers are missing, including at least 291 foreign tourists, after a flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border


At least 18 people have been killed in Nepal - among the preliminary list of the missing are more than 100 people from India and 12 from the UK, according to its tourist board


Chinese state media is also reporting "major casualties" in Tibet, which is controlled by China


Verified videos from Nepal show a bridge being swept away and multi-storey buildings collapsed by the force of floodwaters


Other images show houses partially submerged after muddy floodwater swept through Nepal's Nuwakot district


Nepal's foreign minister says preliminary reports show it may have been caused by an earthquake triggering an avalanche, which lead to flash floods



Satellite images show river before and after flash flooding - published at 22:31

22:31

Before-and-after satellite images show flooding in the areas around the Trishuli river.

In each composite, the first image was taken three days ago before flash flooding. The second, taken today, shows a swollen river and water in the surrounding areas.

As we've been reporting, the government says the cause may have been an earthquake triggering an avalanche.

22:26

By Adam Durbin

A new video filmed from inside a bus in Trishuli shows dozens of people trying to flee as a flash flood surges down the valley.

The verified video shows floodwaters rapidly swelling and spilling down the river, as many attempt to flee on foot, moped and other vehicles.

Passengers can be heard crying out in alarm on board, as the bus drives along the road which follows the river.

BBC Verify has already confirmed other clips capturing the moment the flood struck the town and revealing its destructive aftermath.

Survivor transported to safety in diggerpublished at 22:20
22:20

Dramatic images show rescue efforts under way with an older woman being transported to safety in Trishuli Bazar, Nuwakot district.

In one picture, she sits alongside rescuers in the scoop of a digger.

In another, police officers carry her to safety in their arms.

Image source,EPA
Image source,Reuters


Eight South Koreans missing following flood - authoritiespublished at 22:13
22:13

Eight South Korean nationals are currently "uncontactable" following the flash flood, according to South Korea's foreign ministry.

The ministry says those missing were constructing a hydropower plant in the area.

It adds thtat another 10 South Korean nationals are stranded in the area and awaiting rescue.

The Nepalese government has sent a helicopter to rescue them, according to the ministry.

Share

Nepalese army rescues 88 from flood, with 15 helicopters mobilisedpublished at 22:08
22:08

A spokesman for Nepal's army says 88 flood survivors have been rescued so far, with troops trying to rescue another 115 from the village of Mailung.

Rajaram Basnet tells the BBC that 15 helicopters have been mobilised for search and rescue operations.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in Nepal says huge loss of life and property is reported in Timure, Syabrubesi and Betrawati.

It says the flood caused damage to the Trishuli hydropower project and swept away bridges in different places.



What we know as flash flood hits Nepal, Tibetpublished at 22:02
22:02
Image source,EPA

At least 18 have died and hundreds are missing after a flash flood hit Nepal and Tibet earlier today. Here's what we know:

• The flood hit early on Wednesday in Rasuwa, north of Nepal's capital Kathmandu
• Police say one man was found dead in Rasuwa, seven people in Nuwakot, six in Dhading and four in Gorkha
• The country's tourism board says it has identified around 400 missing travellers including 291 foreign nationals
• Chinese state media outlet CCTV is also reporting "major casualties" in Tibet, which is controlled by China
• Nepal's foreign minister says early information suggests it was caused by an earthquake triggering an avalanche
• The US embassy in Nepal says authorities have reported severe flooding in Rasuwa, and issued warnings for communities along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli, and Narayani rivers

About 400 tourists missing, head of Nepal Tourism Board tells BBCpublished at 21:55
21:55

About 400 tourists - including 291 foreigners - are reportedly missing, the head of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) tells BBC Nepali.

Most of them were bound for Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet.

"The figure is being updated as reports continue to come in from tour operators running Tibet-bound packages for rescues," says Hikmat Singh Ayer, the board's acting CEO.

Those unaccounted for include more than 100 Indians, 17 Malaysians, 12 Britons, four South Africans, and nationals from the United States, Australia, and the Netherlands.

The flood-affected route also serves as a key gateway to Langtang National Park trekking and Gosainkunda, a holy lake on the lap of mountains, where people pay homage during the Rakshabandhan festival which occurs this Friday.