On Tuesday, a catastrophic flash flood and mudslide occurred along the border between Nepal and Tibet, with the death toll steadily rising. Nepalese authorities announced on Friday that the local death toll had increased to 469 people. Along with the 3 reported deaths on the Tibetan side, at least 472 people have died in the two regions. Additionally, over 1,400 people, including individuals from more than 30 countries, are missing or unaccounted for.
According to the latest report from Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 977 people are missing on the Nepalese side, including 517 foreign nationals. Meanwhile, the Chinese official report states that in the Gyirong County of Tibet, 558 people are missing, including 260 foreigners, but the complete breakdown of nationalities of these foreigners has not been disclosed yet.
Due to variations in data collection methods and reporting procedures among different governments, Nepal’s disaster management agencies, and tourism departments, the numbers currently released may still have discrepancies. The Associated Press pointed out that differences in data collection, reporting, and verification methods, as well as coordination gaps between on-site search and rescue operations and data compilation, could lead to changes in the number of missing persons.
Here is a summary of the latest missing and unaccounted for individuals as reported by various governments or Nepalese authorities:
According to NDRRMA’s latest report, 977 people are missing on the Nepalese side, including 517 foreign nationals. The Chinese official report states that 558 people are missing in Tibet’s Gyirong County, including 260 foreigners. The combined figure estimates that approximately 1,535 people are missing or unaccounted for.
However, as Nepal subsequently increased the death toll from 389 to 469, and the number of missing persons is still being verified, it has not been updated, and therefore the total number of missing persons cannot be determined at this time.
According to the latest report from NDRRMA, a total of 460 Nepalese citizens are missing, including police officers, military personnel, armed police, customs and immigration officials, residents of disaster-stricken areas like Rasuwa, and overseas Nepalese returning home.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that nearly 100 Chinese citizens are missing within Nepal.
This does not include the 558 missing individuals in Tibet’s Gyirong County. The Chinese official statement mentioned that among them, 260 are foreigners, indicating that there may be 298 Chinese citizens missing on the Tibetan side.
The Indian government recently reported that approximately 290 Indian citizens are uncontactable, including hydroelectric project workers, tourists, and individuals making pilgrimages to Tibet.
Additionally, 84 Indian individuals have been rescued, including 63 Trishuli-1 hydroelectric project workers.
Earlier figures released by the Nepalese Tourism Board indicated that 178 Indian travelers were missing.
The US Department of State confirmed that 90 Americans are unaccounted for in China and Nepal, with 3 individuals rescued, and there is currently no information on American citizens confirmed deceased.
The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that 55 Malaysian citizens are currently uncontactable, with this number coming from family members, travel agencies, and other relevant reports, and the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu is further verifying.
The earlier figure released by Nepalese authorities was 51 Malaysians missing.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned that 55 Ukrainian citizens are missing, including two tour groups and a Ukrainian woman traveling with a foreign tour group.
The earlier figure released by Nepalese authorities was 53 Ukrainians missing.
On Friday, the Australian government increased the number of missing Australians from 34 to 39 individuals.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also announced that Australia would provide $3.6 million in assistance to the disaster-stricken communities on the Nepal-China border and deploy consular and humanitarian aid personnel.
The Nepalese Tourism Board reported that 33 British citizens are missing.
The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs stated that approximately 30 Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Nepal and Tibet have unconfirmed whereabouts and safety.
The Canadian government mentioned that due to extremely challenging local circumstances, this number may change as new information emerges.
The earlier figure released by Nepalese authorities was 25 missing Canadians.
The South Korean government reported that 9 Korean citizens working on hydroelectric power plant construction projects in Nepal are missing.
South Korea has dispatched a rapid response team to assist in search and rescue efforts in Nepal.
The latest data shows that 9 Singaporeans are missing.
The Nepalese Tourism Board indicated that 8 German tourists are missing.
The Russian Embassy in Nepal stated that 8 Russian citizens are missing.
According to data released by various governments, the Associated Press, and the Nepalese tourism department, other missing or temporarily unaccounted individuals include:
– South Africa: 6 individuals;
– Latvia: 6 individuals;
– Japan: 5 individuals;
– New Zealand: 5 individuals;
– France: 4 individuals;
– Spain: 4 individuals;
– Belgium: 3 individuals;
– Hungary: 3 individuals;
– Portugal: 3 individuals, with 1 individual subsequently found;
– Italy: 3 individuals;
– Ireland: 2 individuals;
– Kazakhstan: 2 individuals;
– Netherlands: 2 individuals;
– Belarus: 1 individual;
– Finland: 1 individual;
– Israel: 1 individual;
– Lithuania: 1 individual;
– Philippines: 1 individual;
– Serbia: 1 individual;
– Sweden: 1 individual.
Among them, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Thursday that 3 Italian citizens are still uncontactable. Italy also pointed out that the data from Nepal mainly comes from travel agencies, so it may not cover all travelers.
In Japan’s case, the 5 missing individuals are reportedly members of the same family, and the Japanese Embassy in Nepal and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs are confirming their safety.
Differences in Numbers
The significant statistical differences lie in the terms used by various governments, such as “uncontactable,” “unaccounted for,” or “safety unconfirmed,” which do not necessarily equate to the “missing travelers” statistics compiled by Nepal’s tourism department. Additionally, dual citizenship may lead to duplicate counts, and individuals who have been found may not have been removed synchronously from other institution lists; as bodies are identified, some individuals previously listed as missing may be reclassified as deceased.