KATHMANDU: A total of 667 tourists, including 540 foreign tourists and 127 Non Resident Nepalis (NRN), have been reported missing following the devastating flash flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa, according to the latest situation update issued by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Thursday. Meanwhile, 50 foreign nationals have been rescued so far, according to statistics updated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) at 6:20 pm on Thursday.

The NTB’s country-wise data shows that people from 33 foreign countries have been reported missing. India accounts for the largest number, with 178 people, followed by the United States with 65, Ukraine with 53, Malaysia with 51, Australia with 35, the United Kingdom with 33 and Canada with 25. China has 24 people on the list, while Singapore has nine, Germany and Russia eight each, Latvia and South Africa six each, and Japan and New Zealand five each.

The list also includes four French nationals; three each from Belgium, Portugal and Spain; two each from Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands and Kazakhstan; and one each from Belarus, Finland, Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, the Philippines, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland and Bulgaria.

The NTB’s detailed figures account for all 667 people reported missing, including 127 Nepali citizens, 178 Indians, 65 Americans, 53 Ukrainians, 51 Malaysians, 35 Australians, 33 British nationals, 25 Canadians, 24 Chinese nationals, eight each from Germany and Russia, nine from Singapore, six each from Latvia and South Africa, five each from Japan and New Zealand, four from France, three each from Belgium, Portugal and Spain, two each from Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands and Kazakhstan, and one each from Belarus, Finland, Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, the Philippines, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland and Bulgaria.

The NTB said rescue, evacuation and verification operations are being carried out in coordination with travel agencies, trekking companies, guides, local authorities and security agencies. Information received from different agencies is being cross-checked and updated regularly to determine the status of travellers who may have been stranded, displaced or remain unaccounted for following the floods.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formed an Emergency Response Team (ERT) to coordinate the search and rescue of foreign nationals affected or reported missing in the Rasuwa floods. The ministry said the team will verify information concerning foreign nationals, coordinate with relevant agencies, support search and rescue operations, facilitate consular assistance, and share verified information with families and diplomatic missions.

The Foreign Ministry has urged diplomatic missions, international organisations, families and the public to provide information concerning missing foreign nationals through its emergency contacts, +977-9744441227 and +977-9744441228, which are available for calls and WhatsApp. The second number is available from 7am to 10pm. Information can also be sent to emergency@mofa.gov.np.

The NTB has urged travellers, tourism businesses and the general public not to circulate unverified information and to rely on official channels as rescue, evacuation and verification efforts continue. For emergency assistance, tourists can contact the toll-free number 1234, the government hotline 1144, or Tourist Police at 9851289445. They can also approach the nearest police or security authority, local administration, travel agency, guide or tour operator for assistance.