Kathmandu [Nepal], September 17 – As many as 606 foreign tourists from 36 countries remain missing after the Bhotekoshi floods, according to the Department of Tourism.
The tourists have been missing since August 26 when devastating floods swept through areas along the Bhotekoshi River. Department spokesperson Suraj Ghimire informed that the missing foreigners were travelling to Kailash Mansarovar through various companies or to Gosainkunda for the Janai Purnima festival.
Indian nationals account for the largest group with 189 missing. The missing also include 65 from the United States, 54 from Ukraine, 55 from Malaysia, 33 each from Australia and Latvia, 37 from China, 33 from Canada and 32 from the United Kingdom.
Tourists from several other countries, including Belarus, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain and Switzerland are also missing.
More than 188 domestic tourists are missing.
So far, 310 foreign tourists have been rescued while 13 others who lost contact after the floods have been traced and are now in contact.
Local authorities and security agencies have intensified search and relief operations for those still missing.
