Tibet glacier collapse triggers China-Nepal floods, 160 dead, 1,300 missing

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Aug 27, 2026 14:36 IST

A glacier collapse in Tibet triggered catastrophic flash flooding in a border area of China and Nepal on Wednesday, with authorities in the two countries reporting more than 160 deaths and over 1,300 people missing as of Thursday. Many of those affected were foreigners who had travelled to the area for trekking or a pilgrimage to a sacred Hindu site.

The number of missing people has varied across agencies because of differences in how data was collected, when it was reported and how it was verified, as well as gaps in coordination between those compiling the figures and those carrying out rescue work in the affected area.

In Nepal, police reported at least 165 deaths and 826 people missing. Local reports, citing the Emergency Operation Centre, said the missing included 113 Nepali tourists, 85 security personnel from the army and police, 161 residents of Rasuwa district and one resident of Nuwakot district. Later on Thursday, the Tourism Board said 517 foreigners were missing.

In Tibet, Chinese state media reported that at least three people had died and 558 were missing in Gyirong County. CCTV said 260 of the 558 missing people were foreigners. China's foreign ministry also said nearly 100 Chinese citizens were missing on the Nepal side.

According to Nepal's tourism board and statements from governments, the missing foreigners included 65 people from the United States, 51 from Malaysia, 53 Ukrainians, 35 Australians, 33 Britons, 25 Canadians, eight Singaporeans, eight Germans, eight Russians, six South Africans, six Latvians, five Japanese nationals, five people from New Zealand, four French citizens, three people from Belgium and three visitors from Spain. The board also said two people each from Italy, Kazakhstan, Portugal, Ireland and the Netherlands were missing, along with one person each from Belarus, Finland, Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, the Philippines, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Serbia and Sweden. South Korean officials said nine of their citizens working on a hydropower project in Nepal were also missing.

The flooding after the glacier collapse has left a large number of people dead or unaccounted for on both sides of the China-Nepal border, with the missing including local residents, security personnel, tourists, workers and pilgrims from several countries.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends