Nepal: 33 Britons Missing After Deadly Flood
Thirty-three British nationals are among the hundreds still missing after the severe flooding that struck areas near the border between Nepal and Tibet. Among them are a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy, as search operations continue in the devastated regions.
In light of the scale of the disaster, the UK has announced £5 million in aid to support emergency response efforts in Nepal. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the situation as particularly distressing and devastating, urging people in the affected areas to heed local authorities' instructions.
The British Foreign Office has stated that it is in close contact with Nepalese authorities to obtain more information about the British nationals reported missing. London is also advising its citizens in the country to closely follow the evolving situation and safety guidelines.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband spoke with his Nepalese counterpart to offer financial support as well as assistance in search and rescue operations.
A joint statement involving Australia, the European Union, Finland, France, Norway, and Switzerland has also urged foreign nationals in Nepal to exercise increased caution in the affected areas.
A Particularly Heavy Human Toll
The disaster has resulted in at least 270 deaths, according to Nepalese authorities. The number of missing persons has risen to 823, including 517 foreign nationals.
The hardest-hit areas include the Trishuli River valley in the Nuwakot district, north of Kathmandu, as well as the Bhotekoshi valley, located east of the Nepalese capital.
According to reports from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the disaster is believed to be linked to the collapse of a glacier. This event was followed by a 5.2 magnitude earthquake and several landslides, significantly worsening the situation in this mountainous region.
As search efforts continue, Nepalese authorities and their international partners remain mobilized to locate the missing, rescue survivors, and deliver emergency aid to affected populations.
