Desperate rescue attempts continue in Nepal to reach people thought to be trapped | First Thing

More than 900 people have lost their lives in the flash floods that struck Nepal, with the death toll now reaching 903, according to reports. This disaster, caused by a massive influx of ice, rock, mud and debris, has left hundreds of people feared trapped in the tunnels and underground areas of several hydropower projects. The death toll has extended beyond Nepal's borders, with 16 fatalities reported on the Tibetan side of the border. As of now, over 4,000 people are missing in Nepal, and another 500 are reported missing in Tibet.

The rescue operation is massive, with nearly 21,000 security personnel, along with civilian workers and volunteers, actively involved. China has also mobilized more than 2,100 rescue workers to aid in the search and rescue efforts. The Red Cross estimates that more than 90,000 individuals may have been affected by the disaster, which experts have linked to the consequences of the climate crisis.

The tragedy has even sparked a racism row in Australia, where racist social media comments have been directed towards missing Australians who were on pilgrimages, including to Mount Kailash in Tibet. Mainstream media outlets such as News Corp, Channel 7, Channel 10, and Nine have faced backlash for posting offensive and discriminatory comments on Facebook articles identifying the missing Australians.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump made a claim on social media that Iran's energy hub of Kharg Island was being "blown to smithereens," but provided no further details. The White House and US defense department have yet to respond to these claims.