Nepal toll surges as rescuers struggle through ‘unimaginable’ disaster
The latest confirmed death toll surged above 900 as the number of missing people soared to nearly 5,000.
Rescuers in Nepal face unimaginable challenges as the death toll from glacial floods surges above 900, with nearly 5,000 people still missing. The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse amplified by climate change, sent a wave of water, rocks, and debris down from the China-Nepal border, destroying villages and towns on Wednesday.
At least 17 bodies were recovered in rivers downstream in India. Rescue teams, supported by China, India, and South Korea, are racing against time to free trapped hydropower workers, with three bodies recovered from two tunnels so far. Amid the horror, a six-year-old girl was reunited with her parents after being found in the mud.
The climate crisis is causing glaciers to melt worldwide, increasing the risk of such disasters. Nepal's foreign minister described the people as one of the major victims of changing climate. Aid needs are enormous, with entire communities swept away, leaving families homeless. The UN children's fund official noted the vast needs of those impacted.
With mortuaries overflowing, Nepal has begun burying bodies after DNA sampling, and Kathmandu has appealed for international support to store the bodies in freezers. Distraught families are watching images of bodies to identify their missing relatives. Over 2,000 Chinese personnel are part of rescue operations in Tibet, facing intense challenges.
China has reported 16 deaths and 546 missing in Tibet, while Nepal has 4,247 missing and 903 recovered. The reconstruction bill could run into billions of dollars.
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