Key facts
- At least 98 people have died in flash floods and landslides in Nepal and China.
- Hundreds of people are missing, including 33 British citizens, 133 Indian pilgrims, and 47 US citizens.
- The disaster destroyed houses, roads, and hydropower projects.
- A glacier avalanche is suspected to be the cause of the flash flood.
- Nepal has requested international assistance for rescue and relief efforts.
Flash floods and landslides in a border area of Nepal and China have killed at least 98 people, with hundreds missing, including foreign nationals. The disaster occurred on Wednesday morning, sweeping through communities and halting travel. Nepal's tourism board reported 33 British citizens, including a 13-year-old girl, among the missing, with the total number of unaccounted-for foreign nationals reaching at least 341. Alpine Eco Trek confirmed 12 British nationals on its tour were missing, with ages ranging from 13 to 65. Nepal's prime minister's office reported at least 95 deaths, while Chinese state broadcaster CCTV stated three deaths and 265 missing in Tibet. Authorities issued warnings for residents and tourists to exercise extreme caution and move to higher ground. Nepal has requested international assistance for rescue efforts. Climate experts suggest a glacier avalanche, potentially exacerbated by warming temperatures in the Himalayas, likely caused the flash flood, blocking a river and causing a sudden surge downstream. The U.S. Geological Survey found no evidence of an earthquake triggering the event, contrary to initial reports.