Two teenagers among 33 Britons missing after devastating Nepal-Tibet floods

Two teenagers, a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy, are among 33 British nationals missing following the catastrophic flash floods that struck the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, as the death toll rose to 270 and more than 800 people remained unaccounted for. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority confirmed that 826 people are missing, while the Nepal Tourism Board said 644 tourists were out of contact. The disaster, now attributed to a glacial collapse that triggered a massive debris flow, has devastated communities and overwhelmed rescue efforts.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was in touch with local authorities and “will do everything we can” to support British nationals, urging those in the region to follow guidance from local authorities and travel advice. The UK Foreign Office said it was working closely with Nepalese authorities “following concerning reports of British nationals who are missing” and encouraged Britons to remain alert to the changing situation. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said he had spoken to his Nepali counterpart and offered financial, search and rescue, and other assistance to help Nepal in its hour of need.

Excursion company Alpine Eco Trek confirmed to the BBC that it had been unable to establish contact with a group of 12 Britons on a tour to Mount Kailash, who were in the region when the floods struck. According to the company’s travel logs, the missing British citizens range in age from 13 to 65, with the youngest a 13-year-old girl. The firm said it had attempted to charter a rescue helicopter but was unable to fly due to poor conditions, and would continue to assist with ongoing rescue efforts. Four of the company’s Nepali tour guides are also missing. The manager, Kumar Adhikari, said he had been in contact with the guides until 08:40 local time, when they were expected to be at Tibet’s immigration office, but their phones were later disconnected. “We were hoping that inside it was safe,” he told the Press Association, “but later the video came from China’s government which [showed] even Tibet’s side was hit by the flood.” Adhikari said he had been “slowly responding to” the families of the Britons but had been unable to give them any updates, adding: “I feel so sad. We are just thinking about what to do next... We are in pain at the moment, deep pain.”

Other tour companies have also been affected. The Trekkers’ Society, which organises tours in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, said nine UK nationals on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash are missing after they crossed the border. The group includes four males aged between 14 and 50, and five females aged 40 to 53. Its general manager said the group were at Chinese immigration when the flood occurred, and contact with the guide has been lost. Himalayan Glacier US told the BBC they have lost contact with a group of 47 guests and staff on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, which is considered the spiritual home of the Hindu god Shiva, including two British citizens. Kailash Journeys also reported a group of 27 guests and staff missing, with two British men among them. Fishtail Tours said one British person was missing. In a joint statement with Australia, the EU, Finland, France, Norway and Switzerland, the UK embassy in Nepal urged British nationals in the country to exercise caution in affected areas. Chinese state media CCTV reported that a mudslide in Tibet’s Gyirong killed three people and left 265 missing, with rescue efforts continuing.