World · Singapore Bureau
Over 400 foreign tourists missing after devastating Nepal flood
More than 400 foreigners are among 579 tourists unaccounted for following a catastrophic flood in Nepal's Himalayan region, according to tourism officials. The incident has prompted a major search and rescue operation across the affected areas.
LSN Singapore ·
A sudden and severe flood has left hundreds of tourists missing in Nepal, with foreign nationals making up a significant portion of those unaccounted for. Tourism authorities confirmed that more than 400 of the 579 missing tourists are international visitors, highlighting the scale of the disaster in the popular trekking and tourism destination.
The exact circumstances and location of the flooding were not immediately detailed, though the incident occurred in Nepal's mountainous regions, which attract thousands of visitors annually seeking adventure and cultural experiences. The large number of foreign nationals among the missing reflects Nepal's status as a major tourist hub, particularly for trekking expeditions in the Himalayas.
Nepalese authorities have initiated search and rescue operations to locate the missing tourists. The incident underscores the risks posed by sudden natural disasters in remote mountainous terrain, where weather conditions can change rapidly and access for rescue operations may be severely limited.
The nationalities of the missing foreigners have not yet been fully catalogued, though officials indicated they represent multiple countries. The disaster is expected to have significant implications for Nepal's tourism industry and may prompt reviews of safety protocols in popular tourist regions.