Flood Due to Glacier Collapse on Nepal-China Border: 160 Dead, Over 1,300 Missing
While the natural disaster in the mountainous Himalayan region severely damaged commercial infrastructure between the two countries, search and rescue operations are being conducted by aircraft.
At least 160 people have lost their lives and more than 1,300 are missing, including over 500 foreign nationals, following severe flooding and mudslides caused by a glacier collapse on the border between Nepal and China.
Glacier Collapse and Initial Earthquake Misidentification
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) determined that a massive glacier collapse caused the flood and debris flow.
It was reported that seismic waves generated by the collapse were initially mistaken for a magnitude 4.4 earthquake.
Search and Rescue and Infrastructure Damage
Due to the extensive destruction of main roads and bridges, rescue operations are continuing with military and private helicopters.
Bridge infrastructure at Gyirong Port and Rasuwa Port, which facilitate about a third of bilateral trade between the two countries, was severely damaged.
Among the missing are citizens of India, the US, Ukraine, Malaysia, Australia, the UK, and Canada who went to Mount Kailash for trekking or pilgrimages.