403 Reported Missing After Nepal-Tibet Border Flooding

Severe flooding at the Rasuwagadhi border crossing between Nepal and Tibet has left hundreds unaccounted for, officials in Nepal said. Tourism board spokesperson Sunil Sharma reported that 403 people, including 341 foreign nationals, are missing. Among them, 133 are Indian pilgrims traveling to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a site considered sacred in Hinduism. Also missing are 47 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 Britons, and 24 Canadians, according to Sharma. The U.S. State Department confirmed it is aware that American citizens may be affected by the disaster and is monitoring the situation. Images circulating from the scene show devastating damage at the border crossing. Authorities in the region have not yet detailed rescue operations underway to locate those unaccounted for following the flooding.