Hundreds are unaccounted for after a sudden flash flood struck Nepal’s mountainous region, leaving at least 34 Australians and dozens of other foreign nationals missing, prompting urgent rescue and evacuation efforts. Authorities report the death toll rising and the search covering remote valleys.
The Nepal Tourism Board, citing the latest figures, lists 341 foreigners among more than 400 missing persons, including 142 Indians, 93 Nepalis, 53 Ukrainians, 47 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 British, 24 Canadians, 17 Malaysians, four South Africans, two Portuguese and eight South Koreans, with many still uncontacted.
The incident highlights the risks faced by adventure tourism operators in the Himalayas, as dozens of travelers from multiple countries were part of guided expeditions, prompting heightened scrutiny of safety protocols and potential financial repercussions for agencies handling international itineraries.
The whereabouts of 77 individuals linked to Trekkers Society, 26 with Kailash Journey and eight with Richa Tours & Travels remain unconfirmed, and authorities have not yet verified their nationalities or locations as of the latest update.