Nepal-China floods: 162 dead, hundreds unaccounted for

A devastating flood on the Nepal-Tibet border has claimed at least 162 lives and left hundreds of people unaccounted for. The disaster, which occurred following a glacial collapse, has been confirmed by both Nepali police and Chinese state media. Over 1,400 people are missing, including a significant number of foreigners. US officials reported that around 90 American citizens were unaccounted for as of late Thursday, with three rescues documented.

Many of the missing were part of a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a sacred site for various religious groups.

Social media posts revealed the families of missing Americans, such as a Virginia woman traveling with a tour group, a Texas couple on a birthday trip, and a mother with her 14-year-old daughter. Among the guided tour participants was Venus Rajnikant Patel, a 45-year-old Indian-born US citizen who had been planning this pilgrimage for two years before the disaster struck. His friend expressed shock and devastation upon learning that Patel's hotel was located along the border where the floods occurred.

The death toll has risen to 389, with the search for survivors complicated by remote terrain, destroyed bridges, unstable slopes, and worsening weather conditions. In China, authorities are warning of a high risk of the artificial lake formed by the landslide breaching and sending floodwaters downstream, potentially causing further damage. US President Donald Trump has offered assistance to Nepal for the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.