At least 98 people have died and hundreds are missing, including dozens of British citizens, after a devastating flash flood on the Nepal–Tibet border.

A total of 884 people, including 33 Britons, are missing following the flood that hit the Bhote Koshi River in the Rasuwa region at around 8.30am local time on Wednesday.

Nepali authorities said 95 bodies have been recovered and 579 people are missing after the flood and mudslide swept through villages in the Himalayan border area, damaging roads and washing away houses and bridges.

Chinese state media reported at least three dead and 265 missing following a mudslide in Tibet, an autonomous region under Chinese control.

Nepal’s tourism board and tourist police said they were “working to verify the whereabouts and safety status of tourists and travellers who were in or travelling through the affected areas”.

Nepal’s prime minister, Balendra Shah, promised support for the victims.

“I want to assure you that you are not alone in this difficult time – the state is with you with all its means and resources,” he said. “Please be patient. The government takes full responsibility for your rescue, treatment, food and shelter. In times of such a disaster, we all need to stand together.”

Of 579 missing on the Nepal side, 33 are British citizens, including 12 who were traveling with one tour company. Ram Kumar Adhikari, manager of Alpine Eco Trek, said the group included a 13-year-old girl, with the oldest member aged 65.

Ahikari told the group leader had remained online as normal until 8.40am as they passed Chinese border controls to enter Tibet, but videos of the disaster had raised fears for the tourists.

“There is no internet access on the Chinese side, so we had no reason to be immediately concerned,” he said. “Chinese authorities later released video showing a huge surge of water sweeping away the Chinese immigration building and bridges. You can see people running in the footage, and some of them could be members of our group.”

The latest official figures show 466 of the missing are foreign from 28 different countries, including Ireland, India, South Africa, South Korea, Malaysia, the US, Australia and the Netherlands.

The Nepalese army said 114 survivors have been rescued so far with ongoing efforts to save scores more. Local authorities said survivors were receiving treatment in nearby hospitals, included several children, with the youngest a baby aged three months.

Photos from the scene showed diggers carrying survivors to safety. Local authorities said 15 helicopters are involved in search and rescue operations. Pilots were seen winching survivors down from the rooftops of destroyed homes. One told CNN they saw waves up to six metres high.

Dozens of houses have been buried under mud and water, with residents wading through the flooded streets.

Survivors described scenes of horror. Kalpana Malla, from Nepali district Nuwakot, said she was powerless to save her father, mother, sister, and sister’s children as the disaster struck.

“My family members were swept away by the flood in front of my eyes,” she told the BBC. “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.”

Nepali officials said they had called on neighbouring India and China for support in relief operations.

China’s President Xi Jinping called for an “all out” search for survivors and ordered emergency workers to join relief efforts in Tibet. Chinese state media reported “major casualties”.

Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, said his government was “ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are co-ordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts.”

The British embassy in Kathmandu released a joint statement with the US, EU, Australia, and several other countries stating: “We are deeply saddened by the devastating flooding in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts and surrounding areas.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this disaster. We express our solidarity with the people of Nepal during this difficult time.

“We encourage all those in affected areas to follow the guidance of local authorities and official safety advisories as the situation continues to evolve.”

Dramatic videos from the disaster area showed a bridge being destroyed and buildings collapse as the floodwaters struck this morning, with residents fleeing in terror.

Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Shishir Khanal, said the disaster was caused by an earthquake that triggered landslides, resulting in the heavy floods. The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude 4.4 earthquake near the Nepal-Tiber border early on Wednesday.

Nepali officials said the danger had not yet passed and urged local residents to stay away from waterways.

Aid groups are mobilising to tackle a humanitarian crisis arising from the disaster.

CARE Nepal’s Country Director, Mona Sherpa, said the group was “monitoring the situation and assessing the needs of affected communities.”

“We are preparing to mobilise emergency relief, including shelter, hygiene, and dignity kits, for affected families as needs are confirmed on the ground,” she added. “The flooding has left affected families without homes, possessions, and livelihoods, and has raised concerns about the spread of waterborne diseases due to damaged water and sanitation infrastructure.”

Nepal and Tibet have been blighted by natural disasters. Last year, floods in Nepal last year killed 44, and more than 200 were killed during monsoon rains in September 2024. Tibet suffered an earthquake that killed 95 last January.

Professor David Simon, from the Department of Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London, said the region was becoming extremely hazardous.

“Such disasters are, unfortunately, becoming increasingly common in the Himalayas because of the combined effects of human modifications of the fragile and hazardous environment and increasingly rapid climate and broader environmental change,” he said.

“This river alone has flooded three times in the last two years. Similar events on a smaller scale have occurred elsewhere in the Himalayas over recent years, as melting of ice sheets and glaciers triggers large falls that can even destroy dams and reservoirs.”