At least 157 people have been killed and hundreds remain missing after a massive mudslide at the Nepal-China border triggered catastrophic flooding on the Nepali side, with 133 Indian tourists among those reported missing, officials said.
The disaster unfolded after a huge wall of mud and rock collapsed into a river along the Himalayan border on Wednesday, sending torrents of debris and water into settlements and tourist areas. Homes, roads and power infrastructure were washed away, while authorities on both sides warned that the death toll could rise further.
In Tibet, the number of people reported missing in Gyirong county has risen to 558, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. Officials there said they feared “major casualties” after the mudslide struck a border crossing.
On the Nepali side, the scale of destruction has left rescue teams struggling to reach affected areas. Verified videos showed people being swept away by the surging floodwaters, while large sections of infrastructure were damaged or destroyed.
Survivors described the suddenness and force of the disaster.
“It was a huge gush of mud coming straight towards us. As it got closer, it kept rising higher and higher,” said Keshav Prasad Baral, 68, who survived the disaster and was receiving treatment at a local hospital.
“When I saw it enter our home, I tried to grab my wife’s hand and take her to the terrace. But she was swept away by the mud,” Baral said.
Authorities on both sides of the border continued rescue and relief operations as concerns mounted over the fate of hundreds of missing people, including tourists caught in the disaster zone.
