Hundreds missing and at least 8 killed after avalanche triggers deadly flash floods in Nepal

Hundreds of people are missing and at least eight have died after massive flash floods swept through border areas of Nepal and China, cutting off travel and causing widespread destruction on Wednesday. The disaster was triggered by a sudden glacial collapse in the warming Himalayan region, according to experts.

Police in Nepal reported a death toll of at least 157, while China's state broadcaster CCTV claimed three fatalities and 265 people missing in the Tibetan region's Gyirong County. Images showed entire buildings buried under mud, vehicles abandoned, and debris littered across roadways.

Nepal's tourism board spokesperson, Sunil Sharma, said 403 people, including 341 foreigners, were reported missing. Among the missing were 133 from India on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a sacred site for Hindus, as well as 47 from the United States, 34 from Australia, 33 from Britain, and 24 from Canada.

The state department confirmed that Americans were affected, and 62 Nepali citizens were among the hundreds of locals trekking in the Gosaikunda Lake area when the floods hit. Many of these were participating in the Janai Purnima festival.

At least 28 Nepalese police officials are also missing, and authorities have warned residents in several districts to stay away from the Trishuli, Bhotekoshi, and Narayani rivers. Bridges and roadways were severely damaged, with 19 bridges and 40 kilometers of roads swept away.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported a magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Kathmandu, but later determined the event was a magnitude 5.2 glacial collapse that caused the catastrophic flooding downstream. Nepal, India, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Russia, and several countries in the European Union, as well as the United Nations and Australia, expressed concern for the affected citizens and offered assistance for rescue and relief efforts.