Nepal-Tibet Flood: 165 Dead, Nearly 1,500 Missing, Almost 800 Foreigners Among the Missing

A massive flash flood and mudslide hit the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, killing at least 98 people and leaving more than 660 unaccounted for on both sides. In Nepal, most of the missing are foreign tourists, not local residents.

Officials on both sides stress these numbers are still preliminary and could change as search teams reach more areas. Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle told Reuters, “This will go up, as we have resumed the search and more bodies are expected to be recovered.”

People from at least 29 countries have citizens confirmed missing, and Nepali and foreign officials are still working to finalize exact counts by nationality. Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed one Israeli man in his 60s went missing after crossing from Tibet into Nepal with a tour group, with ZAKA’s international rescue unit now investigating.

What Actually Triggered the Flood: Earthquake or Glacier Collapse?

The US Geological Survey has now confirmed what scientists suspected: the magnitude-4.4 tremor initially reported as an earthquake was in fact seismic energy generated by the collapse of glacial rock and ice, followed by a massive debris flow. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs, analyzed by Nepal’s disaster management officials, showed a landslide of ice and rock unleashed a flood carrying debris in the Lhende River, about 20 km northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border crossing. The falling ice and debris are believed to have temporarily blocked the river, letting water build up before the blockage suddenly burst and sent a wall of water rushing downstream. Chinese authorities have identified an additional danger: a still-dammed lake upstream in Gyirong that could complicate rescue efforts further.

What's Happening on the Ground

In Nepal, the flood struck around 9 a.m. Wednesday, wiping out parts of Timure, Syabrubesi and Betrawati in Rasuwa district, with destruction extending further downstream than first realized into Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts. Roads, bridges, a customs office and power plants were destroyed. More than 5,000 Nepali army and police personnel have now been mobilized, with helicopters dropping tents, food and emergency supplies provided by India to communities cut off by the disaster. In the worst-hit areas, mud several metres thick has buried homes, trees and vehicles, and families have gathered outside an army training centre serving as the helicopter rescue base to seek information on missing relatives. Survivor Keshav Prasad Baral, 68, described a “huge gush of mud” that swept away his wife as he tried to reach the terrace with her; he was rescued by helicopter four hours later, saying, “My wife is still somewhere beneath the mud. She’s gone.” Himalayan tour operator Sagar Pandey, who flew over the disaster zone, said: “There are no human-made things, no human settlement left. Everything is just flat.” Across the border in Tibet, a mudslide hit Gyirong Port, a busy trade crossing, cutting off roads, phone lines and electricity. China’s state media first called the damage “major” before releasing the updated toll of 3 dead and 558 missing, including 260 foreign nationals. More than 1,000 Chinese rescuers are now using dogs and drones to search for survivors, and two people have been rescued so far.

What Leaders Are Saying

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah asked the nation to “stand together” and is working with medical teams and the Red Cross to speed up rescue efforts. In China, President Xi Jinping ordered an all-out search effort, while top officials Li Keqiang and Zhang Guoqing were sent to oversee the response. Internationally, the US State Department is sending a disaster response adviser along with $500,000 in assistance, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the floods “absolutely devastating,” and UN Secretary-General António Guterres said UN teams are sending supplies and personnel to support affected Nepali communities.

Bangladesh Extends Solidarity to Nepal

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman called his Nepalese counterpart, Shisir Khanal, conveying deep condolences over the “terrible tragedy” and confirming no Bangladeshi nationals have been found among the casualties so far. He relayed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s full solidarity and Bangladesh’s readiness to assist Nepal, while Khanal said Nepal would specify its needs once damage assessments are complete.

Note: All figures are updated as of Thursday, August 27, 2026, and remain preliminary as rescue and verification operations continue.