Four South Africans among missing tourists following Nepal floods

Four South African tourists are among hundreds of missing travelers following devastating flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border. Thirty-one people have died, and the death toll might rise further. Initial reports suggest an earthquake might have triggered an avalanche, leading to the floods. The Nepal Tourism Board confirmed that over 300 travelers are missing, with four among them being South Africans.

Videos captured a massive rush of water threatening multi-story buildings along a river, leading to a bridge collapse and house destruction within minutes. Rescuers, including the armed forces and paramilitary troops, are actively involved in the rescue operation, while helicopters attempt to reach people in inaccessible areas due to high water levels.

At least 384 travelers are unaccounted for in Nepal's Himalayan region near the Tibet border, with 291 of them being foreign nationals, including 105 from India. An earthquake is suspected to have caused an ice-rock avalanche on the Lhende Khola river, which then resulted in the floods. The river flows through both Nepal and Tibet.

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal suggested that an earthquake could have triggered an avalanche and caused the floods, according to local media. China's Xinhua news agency stated that the mudslide happened on the Nepali side and impacted the Gyirong port in Shigatse City, Tibet, disrupting roads, communications, and power links in the Shigatse region near the border.