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🇸🇬 Singapore /Disasters & Emergencies

Hundreds missing, scores dead after Nepal-China border flood

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A massive mudslide on the Nepal-China border triggered catastrophic flooding, leaving hundreds missing and scores dead.
  • Approximately 340 foreigners are among the over 400 tourists missing, with 157 bodies recovered so far.
  • The disaster destroyed homes, roads, and power projects, with rescue efforts ongoing.

A catastrophic flood triggered by a massive mudslide on the Nepal-China border has left hundreds missing and scores dead, devastating mountain towns and valleys. Rescue workers are desperately searching for survivors after a wall of mud and rock collapsed into a river on Wednesday, unleashing a torrent of water and debris.

It was a huge gush of mud coming straight towards us. As it got closer, it kept rising higher and higher. When I saw it enter our home, I tried to grab my wife's hand and take her to the terrace. But she was swept away by the mud.

— Keshav Prasad BaralA survivor describes the moment the floodwaters hit his home.

Officials report that around 340 foreigners are among the more than 400 tourists missing. So far, 157 bodies have been recovered. Verified videos depict the destructive power of the floodwaters, sweeping away people and structures. Homes, roads, and power projects have been washed away in Nepal, while authorities in Tibet fear "major casualties" after the mudslide hit a border crossing.

My wife is still somewhere beneath the mud. She's gone.

— Keshav Prasad BaralA survivor expresses his grief over his wife's fate.

Survivors recount harrowing experiences. Keshav Prasad Baral, 68, described the mud engulfing his home and sweeping away his wife. "When I saw it enter our home, I tried to grab my wife's hand and take her to the terrace. But she was swept away by the mud," he said, adding, "My wife is still somewhere beneath the mud. She's gone." Another survivor clung to a mango tree as his workplace disappeared.

The State Department is aware of Americans impacted by the floods in Nepal and is closely tracking the situation.

— U.S. State Department spokespersonThe U.S. government acknowledges Americans affected by the disaster.

While early reports suggested an earthquake might have caused the glacial collapse, the U.S. Geological Survey later stated the event generated seismic energy from the collapsing rock and ice. Many victims were on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar, a sacred site in Tibet. The U.S. State Department confirmed awareness of impacted Americans and is tracking the situation, with Canada also expressing devastation.

Following the devastating floods, we stand in solidarity with the people of Nepal, and our prayers are with the Nepali people.

— Marco RubioU.S. Secretary of State expresses solidarity with Nepal.
About this summary

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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