Rescue teams in Nepal are racing against time after catastrophic flash floods swept through the Himalayan border region with Tibet, leaving at least 682 people dead and nearly 3,000 unaccounted for. Among the missing are hundreds of foreign nationals, including a significant number of European citizens, according to official figures released over the weekend.
Nepal's tourism board reported on Friday that 622 tourists remained out of contact, of whom 473 were foreigners. The list includes 61 Ukrainians, 33 British nationals, 29 Latvians, eight Germans, four French citizens, and smaller numbers from Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Belarus, Finland, Lithuania, Serbia, Switzerland, and Sweden. India tops the foreign list with 98 missing, followed by Malaysia with 51.
China's disaster agency has separately confirmed that 260 foreigners are missing, though it has not provided a nationality breakdown. The United States has reported 90 citizens unaccounted for, while Australia's number stands at 41. Spain's foreign ministry has confirmed three of its nationals are missing.
Europe's response
The European Union has moved quickly to support relief efforts. The bloc has activated its Copernicus Earth observation satellite system to help monitor the aftermath and coordinate aid. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced €2 million in humanitarian funding for Nepal, saying it would "deliver life-saving assistance to families and communities hit hardest."
The disaster struck on Wednesday when a wall of water and debris, described by witnesses as tsunami-like, tore through valleys and settlements along the Nepal-Tibet border. Scientists are investigating whether a glacial collapse triggered the floods, a scenario that has raised concerns about similar risks in the European Alps. As glacier collapse likely triggered the event, experts are drawing parallels to vulnerable glacial lakes in Switzerland, Austria, and Norway.
For European travellers, the situation remains fluid. The EU has advised citizens to follow local guidance and register with their embassies. A guide for European travellers has been published, outlining safety measures and contact points.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll is mounting. UNICEF has warned that 17,000 children are in urgent need of aid, and the missing toll has already exceeded 2,400. Rescue operations are focusing on remote villages cut off by landslides and damaged roads. In one dramatic operation, Nepalese army helicopters have been airlifting supplies to stranded communities, while efforts continue to free people trapped in a flooded tunnel near the border.
The disaster has also resonated with diaspora communities abroad. In New York, Nepalis have gathered to mourn and raise funds, as the army rescues hundreds from the flooded tunnel. The full scale of the tragedy is still emerging, but the international response, led by the EU and other partners, is expected to grow in the coming days.
