EU sends help as Nepal flood kills 165, hundreds of tourists remain missing

A wall of mud and rock on Wednesday collapsed into a river near Gyirong at the border between the Tibet and Nepal, triggering a flash flood that swept through towns and villages, washed way houses, roads and power projects.

At least 165 people have been reported dead, 162 in Nepal and three in Tibet. Nepal's disaster agency said 826 people were unaccounted for on Thursday, among them at least 579 Nepali and foreign tourists.

Tourists from all over the world

Hikers and climbers from around the world travel to Nepal to climb some of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest.

The French foreign ministry said 80 French nationals had registered their presence in Nepal. It added that other French people travelling through the country could also be in the affected areas.

“The top priority is to mobilise all available resources to search for and rescue missing people, evacuate and relocate residents in danger, provide prompt medical treatment to the injured and minimise the number of casualties,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said, according to state media.

The Chinese president does not usually comment on disasters unless the death toll is significant.

Chinese authorities have mobilised more than 1,500 personnel.

Aid coming in

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Nepal said it has released just over €1 million in emergency funds to support rescue operations and provide drinking water and supplies such as blankets, first-aid kits, stretchers and body bags.

The European Union has activated its Copernicus satellite system to support rescue efforts and said it was ready to provide further assistance.

Neighbouring India will be providing military helicopters to help the search and rescue operations, and has sent 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including blankets, solar lamps and medicines.

Collapsed glacier

The flooding appears linked to a collapsing glacier.

Nepal's foreign minister initially said an earthquake may have triggered a landslide that blocked the Lhende Khola river and sent water downstream. The US Geological Survey later said the seismic activity initially was actually caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow.

The flooding “was caused by an avalanche of ice that fell into the Lhende River, but its exact cause remains to be confirmed,” Qianggong Zhang, a scientist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development based in Kathmandu, told the AFP news agency.

Water levels in the Trishuli river, downstream from the blockage, reportedly rose by as much as 9 metres in just 30 minutes.

The blockage is still there and could create further flooding.

(with newswires)