At least 17 people have been killed and hundreds of travellers are reported missing after flash floods and landslides struck Nepal’s northern districts, according to reports cited by the BBC.
Nepal Police told the BBC that 17 bodies had been recovered from various districts following the floods on Wednesday morning.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal told parliament that a preliminary assessment suggested an earthquake at around 8:37am local time triggered an avalanche, which then caused the flash floods. Officials are still verifying the sequence of events.
Khanal said Rasuwa and Nuwakot were among the worst-affected districts, with major damage reported to roads, bridges, communication networks and hydropower infrastructure. China has also suffered significant damage, he added.
At least 26 police personnel, nine armed police personnel and 44 military personnel are missing, along with customs and immigration officials, according to the minister.
Meanwhile, 384 travellers have been reported missing, including 93 Nepali nationals and 291 foreign nationals, the BBC reported, citing the Nepal Tourism Board.
Among the foreign nationals reported missing are 105 Indians, 37 non-resident Indians, 12 British nationals, 17 Malaysians, four South Africans, three Americans, one Australian and one Dutch national. The nationalities of 111 others have yet to be confirmed.
Nepalese authorities are coordinating with China as rescue and verification efforts continue.