At least 34 Australians are among the hundreds missing after devastating flash floods swept through the Nepal-Tibet border following a catastrophic landslide.  

A total of 579 people are missing, according to figures from the Nepali police. 

Of that total, 54 people are from the US and 33 are from the United Kingdom. Authorities say that 113 of the missing tourists are Nepalese. 

A list identifying the nationalities of those missing, seen by The Australian, also shows 34 Australians unaccounted for. 

Of the missing visitors, 466 are foreign nationals from 28 different countries. 

The office of Nepal’s Prime Minister confirmed that 157 bodies have so far been recovered. Massive rescue efforts continued into Thursday morning. 

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is yet to confirm the number of missing Aussies but has issued a joint statement with Britain, the European Union, Finland, France, Norway and Switzerland.

‘We are deeply saddened by the devastating flooding in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts and surrounding areas,’ a statement shared by the Australian embassy in Nepal read. 

‘Our thoughts are with all those affected by this disaster. We express our solidarity with the people of Nepal during this difficult time. We encourage all those in affected areas to follow the guidance of local authorities and official safety advisories as the situation continues to evolve.’

Harrowing footage from the scene showed fast-flowing floodwater ripping through the streets and destroying everything – including homes and bridges – in its path.

River banks burst as walls of water came rushing through the densely populated areas, sweeping people underwater as others sought safety on higher ground. 

Footage shows people running away as a wall of mud and water destroys buildings in a valley at Nepal-China border, in Gyirong, Tibet region, China August 26, 2026

Several people have been killed by the flash floods, with many more casualties expected to be reported. Of the missing tourists, 466 are foreign nationals from 28 different countries

Houses lie partially submerged in muddy water along a riverside after flash floods at Trishuli Bazar in Nepal’s Nuwakot district on August 26, 2026

Houses and trucks lie deluged in sludge after flash floods at Trishuli Bazar in Nepal’s Nuwakot district

Aerial footage showed floodwater completely consuming land near the Nepal-Tibet border, sending people running for their lives as buildings collapsed in seconds. 

A landslide hit Nepal at 8.37am local time, which then triggered an avalanche after a colossal glacier snapped, and debris then caused the horror flooding. 

The water carved up nearly 30 miles of land from China-controlled Tibet down into the Nepali town of Trishuli, leaving a path of near total destruction in its wake. 

Preliminary reports in Nepal suggested the whole ordeal was caused by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake, but the US Geological Survery disputed the claims.  

The US State Department said they are aware of American citizens affected by the floods and are ‘closely tracking the situation’.

They are working with local authorities to aid citizens, and said they have ‘no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans’, a spokesperson said.

Entire homes and buildings were buried in the muddy deluge, with just their rooves peaking through the devastated landscape.

Terrified residents in Trishuli Bazar, Nepal’s Nuwakot region, which was badly hit, were seen scurrying to the very top of buildings to avoid the massacre below.

A drone view shows mud covering properties following a flash flood at Trishuli in Nuwakot district, Nepal

Floodwaters sweep through the area in Nepal following the landslide

An area along the Trishuli River, located in Dhungebazar, is destroyed in the flooding

A survivor is airlifted following a flash flood at Trishuli in Nuwakot district

Houses lie partially submerged in muddy water along a riverside after flash floods

Meanwhile, relatives who could not find their loved ones flocked to many of Nepal’s trauma centers and hospitals in search of them, or to check injury lists. 

Elderly locals, covered in soot and dirt from the flowing torrents, were carried in construction vehicles after being dug out from the saturated ground.

One frail victim was seen being carried to safety in the arms of a rescuer. 

A three-month-old baby is among the deceased, according to Nepal police, according to the BBC. 

Teenagers as young as 12 and 14, and two three-year-olds are receiving treatment at hospitals across the country, the outlet reported. 

The list of injured victims includes details of their injuries, with some said to have scratches ‘all over the body,’ and others ‘unable to speak.’ 

First responders, including army personnel and police officers, are among those missing in Nepal. 

As of now, 44 army personnel and 28 police officers are unaccounted for. Another 13 armed police officers and 60 power workers are also missing. 

Entire homes and buildings were buried in the muddy deluge, with just their rooves peaking through the devastated landscape

Family members check a list of people who were injured following a deadly flash flood, outside a trauma centre of Bir Hospital in Kathmandu

Locals take refuge on a rooftop as floodwaters sweep through Trishuli Bazar, Nuwakot, in Nepal, following a flash flood

Houses and trucks lie deluged in sludge after flash floods at Trishuli Bazar in Nepal’s Nuwakot district

The number of dead has not yet been confirmed – but over 500 people are missing

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah released a statement following the natural disaster. 

‘The entire nation has been left shocked and deeply distressed by the loss of life and damage to property,’ he said in a social media post. 

Shah went on to offer his ‘deepest condolences’ and ‘heartfelt tributes’ to those who lost their lives and those they love. 

The PM also noted that the government ‘immediately mobilized all its resources’ to help with rescue efforts ‘without delay.’ 

Sonam Dorjee, a local who works as a tour guide for international tourists, said that when the flash flood hit, it sounded like ‘an earthquake.’ 

‘My house has collapsed… I have seen a photo,’ Dorjee told the outlet. 

He shared the devastating news that his sister, Dechen Tamang, and her husband are missing, along with several other of his family members.

The flash floods hit along the border of Nepal, a small Himalayan nation, Tibet, and China. 

Hundreds of people are missing following the deadly floods in Nepal, which swept away large pieces of infrastructure

Rescuers use construction vehicles to carry a victim of the flash floods to safety along the Trishuli River in Nepal’s Nuwakot district

An elderly woman is rescued from a building that was damaged in the floods

The Nepal police has published a list of some of the flood victims who are receiving treatment at hospitals

At least three people have been killed in China, and more than 250 are missing, according to state media. 

A mudslide also hit China’s Gyrirong port as President Xi Jinping ordered ‘all-out’ search efforts. 

Nepal’s foreign ministry first said an earthquake triggered a massive landslide, which blocked the Bhote Koshie River and sent water downstream from China to Nepal.

It has since been confirmed by experts that a ‘substantial portion’ of a ‘glacier snout’ broke off and crashed onto the valley floor, sparking a landslide, then a flood.