World News
Over 5,600 missing and 1,280 dead after Himalayan floods hit Nepal and China
Rescue teams search for roughly 900 workers trapped in hydropower tunnels as survivors recount devastating flash floods.
The short version
- A massive flood on August 26 across Nepal and Tibet killed at least 1,280 people and left 5,624 missing, including over 800 foreign nationals.
- Around 900 workers remain trapped inside tunnels across six hydroelectric facilities in Nepal.
- Survivors described escaping rapidly submerging underground project tunnels blocked by debris and casualties.
- More than 9,300 Nepalese army troops continue search and rescue efforts amid difficult conditions such as heavy fog.
Key facts
- Authorities in Nepal and China report that the August 26 disaster killed at least 1,280 people and left 5,624 missing across both nations.[France 24]
- In Nepal, official disaster agencies reported at least 1,259 deaths and 5,083 people missing, while Chinese state media reported 21 deaths and 541 missing in Tibet.[France 24]
- More than 800 of the missing are foreign tourists and pilgrims representing at least 34 countries.[France 24]
- Approximately 900 workers are trapped in tunnels across six hydroelectric plants in Nepal, including the Upper Trishuli 1 Hydropower Project.[France 24]
- Over 9,300 Nepalese army troops have been deployed across regions including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, and Nawalparasi East to coordinate rescue efforts.[France 24]