Dozens of Australian tourists are reportedly missing in the deadly flash floods that swept through the Nepal-Tibet border. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
According to the Nepal Tourist Board, as reported by Agence France Presse, at least 291 foreigners were among the missing. They include one Australian who was travelling with Kathmandu Holiday Tours + Travel.
However those numbers were quickly updated. The Nepal Tourist Board said the number of missing people had risen from 384 to 403, with 33 UK citizens among 341 foreign nationals unaccounted for.
According to the tourist board, 203 of the missing are male and 200 female. Also among the missing were 47 people from the US, 34 from Australia, and 24 from Canada.
Scale of the floods
The flash floods, triggered by heavy rains in the Nepal-Tibet region, swept away several villages, destroyed many homes, and damaged roads. Rescuers are continuing search operations, but adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain are hampering efforts.
International response
Governments of various countries are in contact with Nepalese authorities to ensure the safety of their citizens. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is providing assistance to families of missing Australians.
Rescue operations
The Nepalese army and police, along with international rescue teams, are working in the disaster zone. Helicopters and specialized equipment have been deployed for search operations. However, many areas remain inaccessible after the floods.
Aid to victims
Local authorities are organizing temporary shelter, food, and medical assistance for those affected. International organizations have also expressed readiness to provide humanitarian aid.
Additional information
The Nepal Tourist Board is updating information on the situation and urges tourists to follow safety measures. Relatives of the missing are advised to contact official sources for confirmation.
This incident may impact the region's tourism industry, as Nepal is a popular destination for mountain tourism. Authorities plan to take additional measures to ensure tourist safety.