Disasters & Incidents
Nepal flood: 583 foreigners remain unaccounted for
Families of foreigners missing after the August 26 flood in Nepal's Himalayan border region are searching hospitals, morgues and police information in Kathmandu, as Nepali police say 583 foreigners remain unaccounted for and about 294 have been rescued.
The flood has killed more than 1,200 people and left more than 4,750 missing across Nepal and China's Tibet region. Earlier reported figures put the combined toll at 1,225 dead and 4,757 missing, including 1,204 deaths and 4,216 missing people in Nepal and 21 deaths and 541 missing people in Tibet.
Many of the missing foreigners were pilgrims returning from or travelling around Mount Kailash, a sacred peak for Hindus and Buddhists. Sanjeev Rai, a 53-year-old American, travelled to Nepal after his wife, Jiwan Jyoti, went missing while returning from the pilgrimage. He told AFP that Timure village in Rasuwa district, where she was when the disaster struck, remained inaccessible and dangerous.
Rob Fenn, Britain's ambassador to Nepal, said the embassy was trying to provide verified information to nationals searching for loved ones. He said the embassy had brought in psychosocial experts and set up a reception centre for families.
Among the missing are 77 pilgrims linked to spiritual leader Sadhguru's Isha Foundation, including Europeans, North Americans and Australians. Foundation volunteer Arun Mehta said the group, including three Nepali guides, had completed the pilgrimage and was going through immigration procedures at the Gyirong border crossing with China when the flood struck.
Nepal police began collecting DNA samples from relatives this week to help identify bodies. Families overseas will be able to submit samples in their home countries.
Other relatives are preparing to travel to Nepal, including the brother of missing musician Kirill Tretiakov from Russia's far east. Trek organiser Fishtail said it had lost contact with a group of 20 pilgrims, mostly Malaysians, who were travelling with guides and drivers.
The flood followed a glacial collapse that sent water, rocks and debris through the China-Nepal border region, damaging towns, roads, bridges and hydropower sites. The exact cause of the collapse remains unclear. Officials also fear the disaster will hurt tourism, a major source of revenue for Nepal.
Update
Britain's ambassador to Nepal said the embassy had reinforced its response with psychosocial experts and set up a reception centre for families.
Sanjeev Rai said his missing wife, Jiwan Jyoti, was an Intel engineer who had travelled for a Mount Kailash pilgrimage to mark her 50th birthday.
A Nepal tourism official said the sector would suffer from the disaster, although only four districts were directly affected.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 September 2026 at 07:10:45 UTC.
Update
Families of missing foreign tourists and pilgrims have travelled to Kathmandu to search hospitals, morgues and police information for clues.
Nepali police said 294 foreigners had been rescued and 583 foreigners remained unaccounted for.
Relatives of 77 missing pilgrims linked to Sadhguru's Isha Foundation are seeking information in Kathmandu, with volunteers assisting them.
Nepal police began collecting DNA samples from relatives this week to help identify bodies, while families overseas will be able to submit samples in their home countries.
Tourism officials warned the disaster could affect Nepal's tourism sector.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 September 2026 at 05:51:16 UTC.
Update
Nepal reported 1,204 bodies recovered and 4,216 people missing by Wednesday.
Chinese state media reported 21 deaths and 541 missing people in Tibet, taking the Nepal-Tibet reported total to 1,225 dead and 4,757 missing.
Families queued in Kathmandu to give DNA samples to help identify relatives among recovered bodies.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 September 2026 at 15:08:43 UTC.
Update
Nepali families held symbolic funerals on Wednesday for relatives missing since the August 26 flood.
Nepal said 1,114 bodies had been recovered and 3,916 people remained missing by Wednesday.
Chinese state media reported 16 deaths and 546 missing people in Tibet, taking the overall reported toll to 1,130 dead and 4,462 missing.
Hundreds of people queued in Kathmandu to give DNA samples to help identify bodies.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed parliament and called the disaster a national “thunderbolt”.
The United Nations preliminarily estimated building damage alone at $158 million.
Chinese state media said road access to Gyirong Port in Tibet had been restored on Wednesday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 September 2026 at 10:16:45 UTC.
Update
Families are posting photos of missing relatives on a 25-metre wall outside TU Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.
Nearly 4,000 of the missing are in Nepal, including almost 600 foreigners, according to the new account.
Om Bahadur Rana, the police officer handling bodies after the disaster, said police had received 94 bodies, identified 12 and handed them to families.
The wall includes photos of Nepalis, Chinese hydropower workers and engineers, Indian pilgrims and an American tourist.
A government website is compiling information on survivors and missing people, alongside public pleas for help.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 September 2026 at 05:23:19 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The fate of hundreds of missing foreigners remains unknown.
Casualty and missing-person figures may change as rescue, recovery and identification work continues.
The exact cause of the glacial collapse remains unclear.
Source
AFP news report published on .