Overview
- Eyewitness video and seismic data show a sudden collapse sent a wall of mud and water downriver on Wednesday, August 26, sweeping away buildings, border posts and people.
- US and local agencies say the disaster was caused by a glacier or ice/rock collapse that blocked river channels, which then burst and produced fast-moving debris flows.
- Nepal authorities report roughly 165 dead and more than 800 people missing, while Chinese officials say there were additional deaths and hundreds missing in Gyirong County.
- Many of the missing are foreign tourists from countries including India, the United States, Ukraine, Malaysia, Australia, Britain and Canada, which is complicating consular coordination.
- Rescue teams are working with helicopters and ground crews but face washed-out roads, power and communications loss and bad weather, and Nepal has formally asked China and India for assistance while damage to hydropower, bridges and border infrastructure hampers relief.