Chinese authorities said Thursday that 260 foreign nationals were among the 558 people still missing after a mudslide struck the border between Nepal and Tibet, state media reported.
According to preliminary figures cited by state broadcaster CCTV, 558 people were missing as of Thursday morning, including 260 foreign nationals.
“558 people remained missing (and) among them, 260 were foreign nationals", CCTV reported, citing local officials who spoke at a news briefing in Tibet.
The mudslide has killed three people, while two others have been rescued from the Gyirong landslide disaster in Tibet, Xinhua news agency reported.
“A press conference was held in Shigatse, Tibet, to report that two people have been successfully rescued from the Gyirong landslide disaster in Tibet," Xinhua said.
The disaster has “resulted in three deaths and 558 people still missing", the agency added. The latest figure represents more than double the 265 people reported missing late Wednesday.
A powerful flash flood struck Nepal’s Himalayan border region on Wednesday, killing at least 165 people and leaving hundreds missing as rescue teams faced difficulties reaching areas isolated by mud, debris and damaged infrastructure.
The flooding originated near the Nepal-China border before moving rapidly downstream, causing extensive destruction across several districts. Floodwaters swept away roads and bridges, submerged villages and damaged several hydropower projects.
Nepal has mobilised the Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police for rescue operations across the flood-hit areas. The Nepal Army deployed 12 helicopters to conduct search-and-rescue missions, evacuating six people from Syaphrubesi, two from Mailung and four from Dhunche in Rasuwa district.
Rescue efforts have been complicated by damage to roads, communication networks and power infrastructure. In some of the worst-affected areas, helicopters have been unable to land because of the ongoing threat posed by floodwaters and debris.
The Nepal Army has set up an emergency treatment facility at Military Training Centre No. 1 in Trishuli. An MI-17 helicopter carrying an Emergency Medical Rescue Team was also sent towards the district hospital in Trishuli.
Officials said around 100 people have been rescued from different locations, while 30 others are receiving treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.
