KATHMANDU: A total of 261 foreign tourists who went missing after the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa have been rescued, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
The tourists were among those who lost contact after the river flooded on Wednesday morning. As of Saturday evening, 261 tourists from 16 countries had been rescued, the board said.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Hikmat Singh Air told Rastriya Samachar Samiti that the tourists had travelled to Gosainkunda and Kailash Mansarovar through various tour operators before losing contact.
Those rescued include 167 Indian nationals, 40 Chinese, eight Ukrainians, four Germans, four Maltese, three Italians, three Americans, two Russians, two Spaniards, two Swiss, two Turkish, and one each from Belgium, Bulgaria, Oman and Portugal.
The board said another 21 rescued tourists have yet to be identified by nationality or other details.
However, around 320 tourists remain unaccounted for, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board, Tourist Police and other tourism stakeholders have intensified search and rescue efforts in the affected areas. Authorities are working to bring injured and stranded tourists to safety.
“Tourist safety is our top priority,” the Nepal Tourism Board said, urging tourists and their families to remain patient and vigilant.
