At least 98 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds remain missing following a catastrophic flash flood and mudslide along the border between Nepal and Tibet, as rescue operations continue in difficult and dangerous conditions.
The disaster struck the Himalayan border region on Wednesday, with Nepal reporting 95 deaths, while Chinese authorities confirmed three deaths and 265 people missing on the Tibetan side. The scale of the tragedy is still unfolding, with hundreds of travellers and tourists reported unaccounted for.
Nepalese authorities said more than 100 Indian nationals are among those missing, along with tourists from several other countries. Initial reports circulating about the numbers of missing Americans and Britons have varied, with the latest reporting indicating that authorities are still working to verify the identities and nationalities of those unaccounted for.
The affected area is popular with pilgrims travelling to Mount Kailash and with trekkers exploring the Himalayan region. Survivors have described terrifying scenes as a powerful wall of water, mud and debris swept through communities, destroying homes, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.
One woman told of watching members of her family being swept away before her eyes. She and her son reportedly survived only by climbing onto a rooftop as the floodwaters surged through the area.
Authorities are now investigating what triggered the disaster. Nepal’s Foreign Minister has said a 4.4-magnitude earthquake may have triggered an avalanche or landslide, which blocked part of the river before a massive surge of water was released downstream. Satellite data has also pointed to a possible snow-rock landslide near the Nepal-China border.
Dramatic footage from the Tibetan side of the border reportedly shows a massive wall of water and mud crashing into buildings and vehicles near the Gyirong border crossing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an urgent, all-out rescue effort, with authorities mobilising hundreds of rescue personnel as search teams battle damaged roads, deep mud and continuing instability in the mountainous region.
With hundreds still missing and fears of further flooding due to an upstream river blockage, authorities have warned that the death toll could continue to rise.