Nepal-Tibet border flood: 157 bodies recovered, hundreds missing

A catastrophic flood triggered by a massive mudslide on the Nepal-China border has killed at least 157 people, with hundreds of tourists still missing. The disaster unfolded Wednesday on the Himalayan border, sweeping away homes, roads, and power projects in Nepal.

Verified videos showed dozens of people being swept away. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with one man describing how his wife was pulled from their home by the surging mud. "She's gone," he said, his voice heavy with grief.

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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.

Authorities on both sides of the border are bracing for higher casualties as the grim task of recovering and identifying bodies continues. Officials in Nepal estimate over 400 tourists are missing, including many foreigners from India, the United States, Australia, Britain, and Canada. South Korea also reported eight of its nationals missing.

Initial reports suggested an earthquake might have triggered the mudslide, but the USGS later confirmed the tremor was caused by the glacial rock and ice collapse. The region is a popular route for Hindu pilgrims visiting Kailash Manasarovar in Tibet.

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Four or five hours later, a helicopter came to rescue me. My wife is still somewhere beneath the mud. She's gone.