Himalayan Glacier Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 797 as Thousands Remain Missing

Nepal and China have intensified search-and-rescue operations after a massive Himalayan glacier collapse triggered devastating floods, landslides and widespread destruction.

At least 797 people have died and 3,048 remain missing following the collapse of a glacier in the Himalayas, which sent huge volumes of water, mud, rocks and debris through communities in Nepal and China.

Nepalese authorities said on Sunday that 781 people had been confirmed dead, while 2,502 remained missing, including 592 foreign nationals. In China, authorities reported 16 deaths and 546 missing people, including 261 foreigners.

The disaster occurred on Wednesday when part of a glacier located about 5,200 metres above sea level collapsed. The ice, rocks and debris plunged roughly 1,200 metres before crashing into the Lende River and causing severe flooding.

Rescue efforts have been repeatedly disrupted by bad weather and fears of additional flooding. A lake formed along the Nepal-China border has also begun overflowing into Nepal’s Lhende and Trishuli rivers.

More than 100 workers are believed to be trapped inside hydropower tunnels, according to authorities.

Mass Burials Begin

Nepal has begun burying some of the victims after collecting DNA samples to help with identification later. Many bodies were swept away by floodwaters, leaving families struggling to locate their loved ones.

Mass burials of unidentified victims are taking place in Chitwan district, while rescue teams from India, China and South Korea have joined the recovery operation.

The Red Cross estimates that around 90,000 people have been affected in Nepal.

Malaysia is also deploying its disaster-response search-and-rescue team and providing $1 million in recovery assistance.

International aid is meanwhile reaching the affected areas. The European Union has pledged $2.3 million, while the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has allocated more than $1 million and launched a $31 million emergency appeal.

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