Nepal-Tibet flash flood: over 540 dead as citizens of dozens of countries reported missing, including six from Latvia

A flash flood that struck the border area between Nepal and Tibet has become one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the region in recent memory. At least 543 people have been confirmed dead so far, while more than 1,500 remain unaccounted for. Those affected include both local residents and hundreds of foreign nationals who were in the area for work, guided treks or pilgrimages.

Rescue teams have so far evacuated thousands of people, with some of the injured taken to hospitals in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, and surrounding districts. Nepal's disaster management authority reported that the death toll in the country had reached 538, with 977 people missing, while more than 3,250 people had been airlifted to safety by helicopter.

Many nations affected

On the Tibetan side, Chinese state media reported at least five deaths and 558 people missing, most of them foreigners. India's foreign ministry said 288 of its nationals were uncontactable, including dozens working on a power project and pilgrims travelling to Mount Kailash. The US state department said 90 Americans were unaccounted for, though no US deaths had been confirmed.

Dozens of citizens from Malaysia, Ukraine, Australia, Britain and Canada were also reported missing. Ukraine's foreign ministry listed 55 missing nationals, including two tourist groups.

Six Latvians among the missing

According to Nepal's tourism board, six tourists from Latvia are among those missing. Other countries listed include Germany, Russia, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Japan and New Zealand, along with several countries with smaller numbers of missing citizens, including Lithuania.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and the number of missing may continue to change as agencies collect and verify further data.