Nepal searches for 590 foreigners missing after devastating floods

Nepal is searching for 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries after a powerful flood struck northern and central parts of the country on Aug. 26. Emergency teams have rescued 323 foreign citizens, according to Nepal’s Foreign Ministry.

The ministry has established an emergency control room to coordinate search operations with government agencies and the families of missing people. Officials said the scale of the disaster prompted the new coordination mechanism as rescue and victim-support efforts continue.

Nepal added 115 deaths to its latest count and reported more than 1,700 additional missing people. Across Nepal and Tibet, the disaster has killed 919 people, while authorities have no information about 4,793 others.

The flooding also overwhelmed morgues, prompting India to send 18 forensic specialists trained in DNA analysis to help identify victims. Nepal is coordinating the deployment of another expert team from Singapore.

The government has requested refrigerated containers from the United States to preserve bodies. It has also asked China and Singapore for DNA-testing kits, high-capacity drones and other essential non-food items. India, China, Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea have already provided supplies for search, rescue and humanitarian assistance, including bridge-building structures, generators, solar equipment, tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packages and medicine. Further assistance is being arranged from Myanmar, Qatar, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Pakistan, while United Nations agencies prepare additional support.

“

The Ministry activated this coordination mechanism because of the scale of the emergency.