HYDERABAD, Aug 27 — Seventeen Malaysians are among hundreds of foreigners missing following a devastating flash flood in Nepal’s Rasuwa district on Wednesday morning, according to Nepal’s tourism board.
The board said in a statement that the missing Malaysians were handled by the Fishtail Tours and Travels tour agency.
At least 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese are uncontactable, and police and tour operators are trying to locate them, it said in a situation update in the afternoon.
The Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued earlier that 11 Malaysian nationals believed to be in Rasuwa’s district had lost contact following the flood.
It said the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu was actively coordinating with local authorities.
“The search and rescue teams currently being deployed by the Nepalese government are working to locate the affected Malaysians and ascertain their safety,” it said.
The Bhote Koshi river flood has swept away many villages and destroyed roads, buildings and hydropower projects in the Rasuwagadhi-Timure area of Nepal.
Other foreigners who have lost contact include 142 Indians, including 37 Indian citizens living abroad, and many citizens of Britain, South Africa and the United States (US).
