KATHMANDU, Aug 26 - Seventeen Malaysians are among hundreds of foreigners missing following a devastating flash flood in Nepal’s Rasuwa district this morning, said Nepal's Tourism Board.
It said that the missing Malaysians were handled by the Fishtail Tours and Travels tour agency.
In an afternoon update statement, the board said at least 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese are uncontactable, and police and tour operators are trying to locate them.
Earlier, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said that 11 Malaysian nationals believed to be in Rasuwa’s district had lost contact following the flood.
The Embassy in Kathmandu is actively coordinating with local authorities.
“The search and rescue teams currently being deployed by the Nepalese government are working to locate the affected Malaysians and ascertain their safety,” it said in a statement.
The Bhote Koshi river flood has swept away many villages and destroyed roads, buildings, and hydropower projects in Nepal's Rasuwagadhi-Timure area.
Other foreigners who have lost contact include 142 Indians, including 37 Indian citizens living abroad, and many citizens of the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the United States.
