At Least 8 Russians Missing in Nepal Following Deadly Himalayan Flood
The Russian embassy said it is coordinating with Nepalese authorities to establish the location of the missing Russians as search operations continue across the devastated valley.
At least eight Russians are currently unaccounted for following a devastating flood in Nepal's Himalayan border region, according to Russia's Embassy in Kathmandu. The embassy is working alongside Nepalese authorities to locate the missing Russians as search efforts persist in the affected valley. Among the fortunate survivors were two Russian women who managed to climb up a mountain slope to safety.
Both of the survivors later reached out to diplomatic personnel while waiting for clearance at a Nepalese-Chinese border checkpoint.
The disaster occurred on Wednesday when a massive rock and ice collapse unleashed a torrent of mud and water down a Himalayan river. Local officials estimate that around 1,500 people remain missing, including approximately 800 foreign tourists. Nepalese police have predicted that the death toll could exceed 165, while Chinese authorities reported three fatalities on their side of the border.
Scientists at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development in Kathmandu believe that an ice and rock avalanche originating in a high-altitude region likely blocked a tributary river before collapsing and causing the subsequent flood. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the disaster generated seismic activity equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 glacier collapse, resulting in a massive flow of debris downstream.
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
