Himalayas: Death Toll Rises to 1,384 with Over 5,500 Missing

14:41

The disaster that struck the Himalayas on August 26 continues to reveal its magnitude. According to the latest reports released on Sunday by Nepalese and Chinese authorities, 1,384 people have lost their lives and 5,515 are still reported missing in Nepal and Tibet.

The human toll of the disaster that occurred on August 26 in the Himalayan region, near the border between Nepal and China, keeps increasing. Search operations are ongoing in areas devastated by floods, mudslides, and landslides, as rescue teams continue to look for survivors.

According to the figures released on Sunday, 1,384 people have died and 5,515 remain missing in the two affected countries.

Nepal Severely Affected

The Nepal accounts for the majority of the victims. Authorities report 1,341 deaths and 4,996 missing since the disaster began.

Among the missing persons are 589 foreign nationals, highlighting the international scope of the tragedy. Areas near valleys and waterways have been particularly hard hit, with homes, infrastructure, and communication routes swept away or buried.

Search operations remain particularly challenging in some areas covered in mud and debris. Rescue teams continue to scour the affected regions, sometimes with the help of specialized equipment.

Tibet Also Affected

On the other side of the border, in the autonomous region of Tibet, Chinese authorities report 43 deaths and 519 missing persons, according to the Xinhua news agency.

The disaster notably struck the area of Gyirong, a major crossing point between China and Nepal. Chinese teams continue search and rescue operations in the ruins of the former border post, heavily damaged by floods and debris flows.

Rescue Operations Ongoing

Several days after the disaster, the search efforts are far from over. The very high number of missing persons raises hopes that some may still be found, even though conditions make operations particularly perilous.

A recent rescue in Nepal has shown that survivors can still be found several days after the disaster. An elderly woman was discovered alive ten days after being considered missing, trapped in an air pocket amid the ruins of her home.

A Disaster with Lasting Consequences

Beyond the human toll, the material damage is substantial. Entire villages have been devastated, while roads, bridges, and energy infrastructure have been severely damaged in Nepal.

The disaster has also impacted a strategic trade route connecting China and Nepal, particularly around the Gyirong border crossing. The destruction complicates both rescue operations and the resumption of trade in this mountainous region.

As search efforts continue, the scale of the toll serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of populations living in the Himalayan valleys to disasters linked to glaciers, heavy rainfall, and landslides.