At Least 63 Americans Missing In Nepal-Tibet Floods
Catastrophic flash floods and mudslides hit the Nepal-Tibet border region, leaving hundreds dead and sparking a massive international search-and-rescue operation. Dozens of Americans are among the missing, with 63 unaccounted for, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
The disaster occurred around 8:40 a.m. local time on Wednesday, with a massive torrent of water, mud, and debris surging through northern Nepal. Initially, officials thought seismic activity might have triggered the disaster, but it was later determined to be a glacial collapse and debris flow.
The scale of the devastation is becoming clearer, with over 350 people reported dead and more than 1,000 missing in Nepal and China. Among the missing are 177 Indian nationals, 63 Americans, 53 Ukrainians, and others from various countries.
Thousands of Nepalese soldiers and police officers have been deployed to the disaster zone, with military helicopters conducting search and rescue operations. The U.S. government has begun mobilizing resources to help locate missing American citizens.
The State Department has expressed condolences to the families of those affected and is providing $500,000 in assistance to support emergency shelter, relief items, and water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also offered American solidarity with Nepal and assistance with humanitarian needs.
Communications remain disrupted in the region, making it difficult to account for all those affected. The U.S. Embassy in Nepal is working to locate missing American citizens and has urged those who can communicate to contact their families or tour operators.
