KABUL (Pajhwok): The death toll from Wednesday’s floods along the China-Nepal border has reached 750; while more than 3,000 people remain missing, according to reports. Chinese authorities said 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries are among the missing.
The Associated Press reported that, according to the latest figures released Sunday, 734 people have died in Nepal and 2,498 remain missing. Chinese authorities have reported 16 deaths and 546 missing people in Tibet.
Meanwhile, China’s Xinhua news agency, citing local officials, reported that 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries went missing following a landslide on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Gyirong border crossing between China and Nepal.
The figure was announced at a press conference on Sunday after joint search efforts and verification of information by authorities responsible for foreign affairs, public security, culture and tourism, and emergency management.
Chinese officials said the 261 missing foreign nationals include 104 Nepali citizens, 49 Indians, 33 Latvians, 18 Americans and 15 British nationals.
The missing also include six Canadians, six Australians, four South Africans, three Malaysians, three Germans, three Russians, two Irish, two Estonians, two French, two Dutch and two New Zealanders. One citizen each from Kazakhstan, Finland, Lithuania, Portugal, Ukraine, Spain and Hungary is also reported missing.
Chinese authorities said the embassies and consulates of the countries concerned had been informed.
Xinhua reported that after several rounds of searches, site inspections and identification efforts at the Gyirong border crossing, no foreign tourists remained stranded in the area.
Meanwhile, AP reported that Nepali authorities on Sunday warned of possible further flooding and urged residents of affected districts to remain on alert after water levels in the Bhote Koshi River rose.
Reports said Wednesday’s floods swept away homes, vehicles and agricultural tractors, burying them under mud and debris, while several bridges were destroyed. Electricity remains cut off in some areas, and access to several locations remains difficult.
Officials said search and rescue operations to locate thousands of missing people were continuing.
sa
