UPDATE: Six South Africans now reported missing after deadly Nepal floods
Six South Africans have been reported missing after glacier triggered flash floods devastated parts of Nepal and Tibet, while Gift of the Givers has placed specialist rescue teams on standby.
The number of South Africans reported missing in Nepal's recent flash floods has increased to six, according to the country's tourism board. Nepal's death toll from the disaster has surpassed 165, with 826 people still missing. A catastrophic glacier collapse in Tibet triggered a torrent of water and debris, destroying Rasuwa district's villages, roads, and bridges, cutting off nearby trekking routes to Mount Kailash.
Nepal police have confirmed at least 165 fatalities and 826 missing persons. Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman revealed that a South African couple's daughter had reached out for assistance, and a tour operator confirmed that another South African couple is also unaccounted for. Due to the extent of damage, helicopter surveillance is currently the only viable means of access, though solid ground is scarce due to the floodwaters' height.
Gift of the Givers has 11 urban search-and-rescue specialists, four SAPS dog handlers and four dogs on standby, with their head of search and rescue, Ahmed Bham, maintaining contact with Nepalese disaster management officials. The South African embassy is ready to process visas upon request, although they are awaiting an official request for international assistance.
The tourism board acknowledges that their current list is preliminary, and being included does not necessarily indicate death.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
