The flash flood struck on the Tibetan side of the Bhote Koshi River at about 8:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, sweeping away houses, roads and bridges in a popular trekking corridor. According to the Nepal Tourist Board, 403 people are missing, including 341 foreign nationals. Among the missing are 33 British citizens, including a 13-year-old girl, and dozens of Australians.
Sagar Pandey, the chief executive of Himalayan Glacier Trekking, told reporters he had been unable to establish contact with his group since the flood hit. "We fear the worst," he said. "The group was in a valley that was directly in the path of the flood. We have not heard from them." The group included 15 Australians, with children as young as 11 among them.
Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, issued a statement on Thursday morning expressing devastation at the loss of life and destruction. "DFAT officials are urgently working to confirm the welfare of Australians in the area," she said. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has established a consular emergency response team and is liaising with Nepalese authorities.
The disaster has triggered a multinational search and rescue effort, hampered by damaged infrastructure and difficult terrain. Nepal's government has deployed military helicopters and ground teams to the affected region, but communications remain sporadic.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has offered condolences and said the government is providing consular assistance. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also expressed concern and urged Australians in Nepal to register with DFAT.
The flood is the deadliest natural disaster to hit the Himalayan region in recent years, with the full scale of the tragedy still unfolding. Families of the missing have been pleading for information, and support groups have been set up on social media.