At least 157 bodies recovered on Tibet border with hundreds still missing
Online Desk
27 Aug 2026 07:03 AM । Update: 27 Aug 2026 09:20 AM
At least 157 people have been killed and hundreds, including foreign tourists, are missing after deadly flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday.
An avalanche of ice and rock triggered massive flash floods that swept through parts of Nepal, causing widespread damage to villages and infrastructure, reports The Guardian.
Among the missing are 33 British nationals, with hundreds of foreign nationals still unaccounted for.
“A preliminary agency-wise record received from tourism and travel companies has identified 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, who were reported missing from the affected areas,” said the Nepal Tourism Board, noting authorities were working to verify the travellers’ whereabouts.
New analysis indicates there was no earthquake prior to flash flooding, according to the US Geological Survey. Despite initial reports of this natural disaster being preceded by an earthquake, further analysis indicates that a landslide preceded the powerful flash flooding and there was no earthquake, the USGS said.
Experts warned of a possible second flood. “With a blockage still lodged upstream on the Nepal-China border river, authorities warn a second flood may occur,” Qianggong Zhang, head of climate and environmental risks, at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, said in comments reported by Reuters.
Chinese president Xi Jinping urged “all-out” search efforts for the missing, as well as stronger monitoring and early warning systems to prevent secondary disasters. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said authorities had deployed at least 574 rescuers to the Gyirong land crossing.
Nepal’s PM urged the nation to “stand together” after the disaster. Balendra Shah urged the Himalayan nation to stand united in a post on social media: “Please be patient.
The government takes full responsibility for your rescue, treatment, food and shelter. In times of such a disaster, we all need to stand together.”
