Girl, 13, among 33 UK nationals missing after Nepal flash floods
1 hour ago
By Adam Goldsmith and Simon Atkinson (Reuters)
Mud slides following flooding buried homes and vehicles in the Nuwakot district of Nepal. Thirty-three people from the UK are among hundreds feared missing following a deadly flash flood near the Nepal-Tibet border.
Flooding and mud slides hit the Rasuaw region in the morning on Wednesday, killing at least 162 people, police said. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported 826 people missing, with the number of missing tourists exceeding 529.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated he is in touch with local authorities and pledged to provide support for British nationals, urging those in the region "to follow guidance from the local authorities and follow our travel advice". The youngest UK national still missing is a 13-year-old.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is collaborating closely with Nepalese authorities following reports of missing British nationals, encouraging Brits to adhere to local guidance and remain alert to changing circumstances. According to police, 113 of the missing tourists are Nepalese, while 54 are from the US.
Rescuers have faced difficulties reaching the disaster zone due to continuing floods. An excursion company, Alpine Eco Trek, which offers expeditions in Nepal, confirmed it has lost contact with a group of 12 Britons participating in a tour to Mount Kailash and unable to reach them despite attempting to charter a rescue helicopter.
The company’s records indicate that the age range of the missing British citizens spans from 13 to 65 years old. Alpine Eco Trek revealed that the youngest member is believed to be a 13-year-old girl, and four of their Nepali tour guides are also unaccounted for.
Kumar Adhikari, the company’s manager, expressed his sorrow and said he was slowly updating families, adding that he had contacted the British consulate and shared passport copies with them. "We are just thinking about what to do next…", he stated.
