Finnish citizen among hundreds missing in Nepal after catastrophic flash flood

A Finnish national is among the hundreds of individuals reported missing following a catastrophic flood in Nepal, according to official reports. Nepalese authorities have confirmed that at least 165 people have lost their lives and over 800 remain unaccounted for, as a result of a glacier collapse that unleashed a massive debris flow into a Himalayan river.

The majority of those missing are believed to be foreign visitors, including foreign nationals who were on pilgrimage or hiking expeditions. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has received travel notifications from 30 Finnish citizens in the region, of whom most have responded affirmatively to an inquiry, indicating that they are safe and require no assistance.

However, some responses remain pending, and it cannot be ruled out that some individuals may have been injured or lost their lives. The ministry remains vigilant, as rescue services continue their search efforts. It is also reported that one Finnish citizen is missing in Nepal, while in Tibet, administered by China, at least three fatalities and over 500 missing persons have been confirmed.

China's state broadcaster, CCTV, noted that a significant portion of the missing population consists of foreign nationals. The international community, including the EU, UN, and the United States, has pledged their support to aid the affected region, with Chinese President Xi Jinping advocating for the initiation of comprehensive rescue operations.