KATHMANDU: A total of 606 foreign tourists from 36 countries remain missing following the devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi river. According to the Department of Tourism, the tourists went missing after the floods struck on Aug. 26.
Department information officer Suraj Ghimire stated that the missing individuals were part of groups traveling to Kailash Mansarovar and the Gosaikunda Janai Purnima festival. Indian nationals account for the highest number of missing persons at 189. Other significant numbers include 65 from the United States, 55 from Malaysia, 54 from Ukraine, 37 from China, 33 from Australia, 33 from Latvia, 32 from the United Kingdom, and 30 from Canada. Citizens from several other nations, including Belarus, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Japan, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Vietnam, Estonia, and South Korea, are also among the missing.
Additionally, 188 Nepali citizens, who were either serving as support staff or traveling for the same religious events, remain missing. The department confirmed that 310 foreign tourists have been successfully rescued so far. Furthermore, 13 individuals who were previously unreachable have now made contact with authorities. Local administration and security agencies are continuing search and rescue operations in the affected areas.
