Nepal Flood Disaster Kills Nearly 500, Israeli Tourist Still Missing Amid Rescue Efforts
A devastating flood and landslide disaster struck the Nepal-Tibet border two days ago, killing nearly 500 people and leaving over 1,400 missing, including many foreign tourists. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the catastrophe was triggered by a glacier collapse, which unleashed a massive flow of ice debris and mud. Entire villages were swept away, bridges and dams destroyed, and vehicles carried off by the torrent.
Rescue teams began searching through mud and debris on Thursday, employing sniffer dogs and advanced technology to locate survivors and recover bodies. The Nepalese army reported rescuing around 350 people, but approximately 100 remain trapped in a flooded hydroelectric tunnel. The death toll has reached 472, with many missing still unaccounted for, including 517 foreign tourists from countries such as India, the United States, China, Australia, and several European nations.
Chinese state media confirmed three deaths and 558 missing in the Tibetan region of Gyirong, where the disaster also caused severe damage. Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited the area to oversee relief efforts. Nepal’s Prime Minister, Balendra Shah, urged national unity and ordered immediate aid for displaced families and reopening of blocked roads.
Environmental historian Ruth Gamble described the event as a "land tsunami" that surged nearly 170 kilometers south into Nepal. The USGS noted seismic activity initially mistaken for an earthquake was actually caused by the glacier collapse. Authorities warn of potential secondary floods due to water trapped behind debris dams, issuing special flood warnings.
Among the missing is an Israeli tourist in his sixties who was hiking with a group near the Rasuwagadhi border area. Harel Insurance dispatched an eight-member Israeli rescue team (Harel 669) to assist in the complex search and rescue operation amid difficult terrain and blocked access routes. The team uses drones, observation tools, and other advanced technologies and maintains close contact with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the missing person’s family.
The Dalai Lama expressed prayers for the victims, while emergency responders continue their efforts in both Nepal and Tibet to mitigate further risks and aid survivors.
