56 Ukrainians still missing in Nepal after massive floods

Fifty-six Ukrainians remain unaccounted for as rescue teams persist in Nepal following catastrophic flooding, according to Ukraine's Foreign Ministry. The disaster unfolded on Aug. 26 when a glacier gave way in the Himalayas, unleashing torrential floodwaters that inundated the Nepal-Tibet border region. The onslaught of water swept through villages, inundating them with mud and debris.

As of Aug. 29, no Ukrainian citizens had been reported injured or deceased, though the ministry remains in daily contact with affected families.

Ukraine's diplomatic missions in India, China, and its honorary consul in Nepal are liaising with local authorities, rescue teams, tour operators, and foreign partners around the clock. At India's behest, Nepalese authorities enlisted a private company that operates geolocation devices carried by some Ukrainian citizens. The firm furnished Nepal with the last known locations of these devices before the calamity and continues efforts to ascertain their current positions for the search.

Rescue operations commence daily at dawn; however, air operations are confined to the first half of the day due to fog. On Aug. 28, rescue efforts were momentarily halted due to the looming threat of a glacial lake outburst flood in Tibet. On the Chinese side of the border, firefighting and rescue teams have arrived at the Gyirong border crossing, one of the most severely impacted areas.

Over 2,000 personnel, along with 300 vehicles and equipment, have been mobilized, with coordination overseen by China's highest leadership. Road access to the disaster zone remains obstructed due to substantial road damage and the persistent risk of additional landslides. The flooding has claimed at least 626 lives and left nearly 3,000 others, comprising at least 540 foreign nationals, missing in China and Nepal, as reported by Reuters on Aug. 29.