Fifty-three Ukrainian nationals, including a group of 46 tourists, are currently unaccounted for following a devastating flash flood in Nepal, near the border with Tibet. The disaster has claimed at least 160 lives, with the toll expected to rise as rescue operations progress.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, contact was lost with the group earlier on August 26. The Ukrainian embassies in India and China are actively coordinating with local authorities to ascertain the whereabouts of the missing individuals.
David Fisher, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Nepal, reported that entire villages and market areas have been obliterated by the flood. In addition to the Ukrainian nationals, three fatalities have been confirmed in China, with another 265 individuals reported missing.
Search Efforts Underway
The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that Ukrainian citizens are among the deceased or injured. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has directed embassies to utilize available personal information to reach out to the missing individuals and implement necessary measures.
Reports indicate that the ministry’s hotline has received multiple inquiries from relatives concerned about their loved ones listed as missing. Ukraine’s honorary consul in Nepal is also involved in the on-ground response efforts.
Flooding Devastates Border Region
The flash flood was triggered by a landslide that blocked the Bhote Koshi River, sending a torrent of water downstream into Nepal and causing extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads and bridges. An international team of scientists is investigating the possibility that a glacier may have collapsed, leading to the landslide.
This region is a popular route for pilgrims visiting Kailash Mansarovar, particularly during this time of year, and is known for its hiking and tourism opportunities. Emergency responders, including nearly 800 workers and 150 vehicles mobilized by Tibetan officials, are engaged in rescue efforts, with around 403 tourists initially unaccounted for after the disaster.
The missing foreigners comprise individuals from various countries, including 142 from India, as well as citizens from Portugal, the Netherlands, Australia, Britain, Malaysia, South Africa, South Korea, and the United States.
