Kathmandu [Nepal], September 8 – As many as 587 foreign tourists from 34 countries have gone missing following the devastating Bhotekoshi River floods in Rasuwa on August 26, according to Nepal’s Department of Tourism.
Department information officer Suraj Ghimire said the missing tourists included people travelling to Kailash Mansarovar and Gosainkunda for pilgrimage and those attending the Janai Purnima religious fair. Of the missing foreigners 256 are men, 329 are women and two are of unknown gender.
Indian nationals make up the largest group with 184 reported missing. The list also includes 67 from the United States, 54 from Ukraine, 55 from Malaysia, 33 each from Australia and Latvia, 32 from the United Kingdom, 30 from Canada and 26 from China among others.
In addition 188 Nepali nationals have gone missing. They include 161 men and 27 women with some working as helpers for foreign tourists and others travelling for pilgrimages to Kailash Mansarovar and Gosainkunda.
Authorities have so far rescued 307 foreign tourists including 254 men and 53 women. Seven other people previously out of contact – two men, four women and one person of unknown gender – have also been reached.
Local authorities and security agencies have intensified search, rescue and relief operations to locate those still missing and assist people affected by the disaster.
