Around 590 foreign nationals reported missing after Nepal floods

Around 590 foreign nationals have been reported missing following the flash floods that struck Nepal, the country’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

“Around 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries are still listed as missing,” the ministry said in a statement.

It added that more than 10,000 people, including over 323 foreign nationals, have been rescued in the aftermath of the disaster.

Earlier on Saturday (29 August), Nepal’s Tourism Department said the number of foreign tourists rescued after the floods had reached 261, while 320 others could not yet be contacted. At the same time, authorities were still unable to reach a further 320 people.

Among those rescued were nationals of India, China, Spain, the United States, Russia, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria and Switzerland.

The flash floods swept through northern Nepal on Wednesday morning, 26 August, after an extremely strong flow of water from China struck the Bhote Koshi River.

The floods occurred after an earthquake triggered a landslide.