Beijing: China on Friday suggested that a collapse of a high-altitude glacier in Nepal may have caused a disaster that resulted in the deaths of at least 480 people. President Xi Jinping urged officials to make "every effort" to locate all missing individuals, both Chinese and foreign nationals.
According to Anadolu Agency, the flash floods and landslides hit northern and central Nepal on Wednesday morning, affecting communities along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers and dragging people and debris downstream. On the Chinese side, mudslides impacted Gyirong County in the Xizang Autonomous Region, also known as Tibet. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian noted that both Chinese and Nepalese experts have conducted preliminary assessments, suggesting the disaster was triggered by a glacier collapse.
The death toll has climbed to 480, with over 1,200 individuals, predominantly foreign nationals, still unaccounted for. Nepalese police reported that 475 people had died within Nepal, while China confirmed five fatalities.
On Friday, concerns grew as a barrier lake formed by the flash floods reportedly breached, potentially causing another surge of water into Nepal's Bhotekoshi River, as reported by the Kathmandu Post. Beijing had previously warned that the lake near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers was "already overflowing" and posed a high risk of breaching.
Rescue efforts are underway, with preparations to deploy helicopters for reconnaissance from Dhunche and Rasuwa, according to a rescue official at Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport. While Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority warned of potential additional floods, Education Minister Sasmita Pokharel stated there is "no immediate major risk," according to Online Khabar.
The Foreign Ministry in Kathmandu reported that 596 people from 33 countries remain missing, alongside 127 unaccounted Nepalese nationals. China also stated that 558 individuals, including 260 foreigners, are missing in Tibet as search-and-rescue operations continue. Combined figures from Nepal and China indicate that 1,281 people, including 856 foreigners, are still missing.
Lin Jian mentioned that the details of the missing foreigners are being verified, and Beijing has notified the relevant countries' embassies. President Xi and Communist Party leaders emphasized the importance of taking effective measures for rescue operations and stated that China would provide emergency aid to Nepal and engage in international rescue cooperation, according to state-run Xinhua News.
The initial water surge led to flooding in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa, northern Nepal, with flash floods and mudslides causing devastation in Timure and Syaphrubesi before moving downstream towards the Trishuli River.