People from more than 30 countries missing — Nepal-China flash floods: A practical reader guide

People from more than 30 countries missing — Nepal-China flash floods: A practical reader guide

Authorities in both countries have reported at least 273 deaths and more than 1,300 people missing as of Thursday (August 27, 2026). A glacier collapse in Tibet caused catastrophic flash flooding in a border area of China and Nepal . Many were foreigners in the area for trekking or a pilgrimage to a sacred Hindu site.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed worry about five Japanese nationals whom local media reported were missing. Police reported at least 270 dead and 826 missing. Local reports cited the National Emergency Operation Center as saying on Thursday (August 27, 2026) the missing included 113 Nepali tourists, 85 security personnel from the Army and police as well as 161 residents from the Rasuwa district and one from the Nuwakot district. The National Tourism Board later Thursday said 517 foreigners were missing. State media reported at least three people died and 558 were missing in Gyirong County, Tibet. “Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that 260 of the 558 missing people were foreigners. In addition, nearly 100 Chinese citizens were missing on the Nepal side,” China’s Foreign Ministry said. Nepal’s tourism board said 179 of those missing were from India. The board said 65 of the missing were from the United States, and 51 Malaysians were missing. “Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said 55 Ukrainians are missing. The number includes two tourist groups of 47 and seven people, in addition to one Ukrainian woman traveling with a foreign tour group,” the Ministry said. The board said 35 Australians were missing. The board said 33 of the missing were from Britain. Nepal’s tourism board said 25 of the missing were from Canada.

Officials said most were on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus. South Korean government officials said nine citizens working on building a hydropower plant in Nepal were missing. Eight Singaporeans were missing, according to Nepal tourism board. Nepal’s tourism board said eight tourists from Germany were missing, eight Russians, six South Africans, and six tourists from Latvia were missing.

People from more than 30 countries missing — Nepal-China flash floods: A practical reader guide