Nepal floods: Everything we know as 33 Brits among hundreds missing after disaster

Nepal floods: Everything we know as 33 Brits among hundreds missing after disaster

403 people are still missing and at least 95 people have died, following the flash flood in the Rasuwa area of Nepal
UK citizens are among the missing after a flash flood in Nepal

A flash flood in Nepal has left at least 95 dead and over 400 people missing, with 33 UK citizens amongst those unaccounted for.

The flood hit the Rasuwa area of Nepal, north of capital city Kathmandu, following an earthquake at around 8.37am local time on Wednesday, according to Nepal's foreign minister Shishir Khanal.

In an update from the Nepal Tourism Board, it was confirmed that, as of 3pm, 403 people are still missing, including 61 Nepalese people and 341 foreign nationals.

The foreign nationals are understood to come from 26 different countries, including 33 from the UK, 47 from the US, and 133 from India.

Nepal police say the death toll from the floods has risen to 95.

Rescue personnel carry a person affected by flash floods

The tourism board said its staff and tourist police are “working to verify the whereabouts and safety status of tourists and travellers who were in or travelling through the affected areas”.

Mr Khanal added that the authorities believe the earthquake triggered an avalanche, which in turn resulted in flash floods.

He said that as well as Nepal, China is also experiencing "huge damage".

Alpine Eco Trek, which offers guided tours and expeditions in Nepal, has confirmed that 12 British nationals on its tour across the Nepal-Tibet border were among the missing.

Ram Kumar Adhikari, the manager of Alpine Eco Trek, told the Press Association there was “not much info to share at the moment, but yes we have 12 British citizens (supposed) to make entry this morning”.

According to travel logs, the age of the missing British citizens ranges from 13 to 65.

Damaged houses stand near the swollen, debris-choked banks of the Trishuli River after flash floods in Nepal’s Nuwakot district (Niranjan Shrestha/AP)
Damaged houses stand near the swollen, debris-choked banks of the Trishuli River after flash floods in Nepal’s Nuwakot district

In a joint statement with Australia, the EU, Finland, France, Norway and Switzerland, the UK embassy in Nepal said: “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.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has urged Britons in Nepal to follow local authority advice in the wake of the disaster, in a statement from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Baroness Winterton posted on X.

The statement read: “Heartbreaking to see the loss and damage caused by the Rasuwa flood in Nepal. Sending our thoughts to all those affected by the disaster.

“We are working closely with the Nepalese authorities following concerning reports of British nationals who are missing. We encourage British nationals in Nepal to follow guidance from the local authorities and remain alert to the changing situation.”

Original source Nepal floods: Everything we know as 33 Brits among hundreds missing after disaster

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