Last updated: August 26, 2026
A devastating flash flood in Nepal's Rasuwa District has left 403 tourists and travellers unaccounted for, including 341 foreign nationals and 62 Nepali citizens, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
The rapidly developing disaster struck the Bhotekoshi River corridor near the Nepal–Tibet border on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The sudden flood destroyed roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure, while cutting communications and making rescue operations extremely difficult.
The large number of foreign nationals among those reported missing has turned the Rasuwa flood into an international emergency, with families and governments in more than a dozen countries seeking information about their citizens.
The latest nationality breakdown reported by OnlineKhabar shows missing or uncontactable travellers from India, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Malaysia, Ukraine, South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, France and Spain, in addition to Nepali nationals.
Important: “Unaccounted for,” “missing” and “out of contact” do not necessarily mean that every person has died. Communication networks, roads and transportation links have been severely disrupted, and authorities are continuing to verify the status and location of those reported missing.
403 Tourists Missing in Nepal Flood
The Nepal Tourism Board's latest figure is:
403 tourists and travellers unaccounted for
Of these:
- 341 are foreign nationals
- 62 are Nepali nationals
- 203 are men
- 200 are women
India accounts for the largest number of foreign nationals reported missing, with 133 Indian travellers.
The United States has the second-highest number with 47, followed by Australia with 34 and the United Kingdom with 33.
These figures are changing as the Nepal Tourism Board, Tourist Police, security agencies, trekking companies, travel agencies and local authorities work to verify information.
Earlier in the day, the Tourism Board had reported 384 people out of contact, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis. The figure subsequently increased to 403 as additional information was received and consolidated.
This explains why different news reports published at different times may contain different numbers.
Nepal Flood Missing Tourists: Country-by-Country List
According to the latest nationality breakdown reported by OnlineKhabar, the 341 foreign nationals reported unaccounted for include:
| Country | Reported unaccounted for |
|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | 133 |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 47 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 34 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 33 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 24 |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | 19 |
| 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 7 |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | 6 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 6 |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 5 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 5 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 4 |
| 🇫🇷 France | 3 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 2 |
Total foreign nationals: 341
The figures above are based on the latest nationality breakdown available from the Nepal Tourism Board as reported by OnlineKhabar and should be treated as a developing situation.
🇮🇳 133 Indians Reported Missing in Nepal Flood
India has the largest number of foreign nationals reported unaccounted for.
According to the latest Nepal Tourism Board figures, 133 Indian nationals are among the people reported missing following the Rasuwa flood.
The number is attracting particularly strong attention in India because many travellers use Nepal as a gateway for Himalayan tourism and pilgrimage routes.
Some of those travelling through the Rasuwa corridor were reportedly heading toward the Nepal–China border and onward to Tibet.
Indian authorities have also been involved in efforts to establish the status of their citizens.
Indian media reports have separately reported more than 100 Indian nationals among those initially reported missing.
Search terms people may be using
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🇺🇸 47 Americans Reported Missing
The latest nationality list includes 47 US nationals among the reported missing foreign travellers.
The presence of American travellers in the Rasuwa region reflects the international nature of Nepal's trekking, tourism and pilgrimage industry.
US families searching for information may use English-language terms such as:
“Americans missing Nepal flood”
“US tourists missing Rasuwa Nepal”
“Nepal flood American tourists”
“Rasuwa flood missing Americans”
This creates a distinct international search audience for Recent Natural Disasters.
🇦🇺 34 Australians Reported Missing
The latest list reports 34 Australian nationals among those unaccounted for.
Australia is one of Nepal's established international tourism markets, and Australian travellers regularly visit Nepal for trekking, adventure tourism and Himalayan travel.
Search interest in Australia could therefore include:
- Australians missing Nepal
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🇬🇧 33 British Nationals Reported Missing
The latest nationality breakdown lists 33 British nationals among those unaccounted for.
British media are already reporting on missing UK nationals.
The Guardian reported that British citizens, including a 13-year-old girl, were among travellers reported missing after the Rasuwa flash flood.
This demonstrates why country-specific coverage is important.
A person in Britain is much more likely to search:
British tourists missing Nepal flood
than simply:
Nepal flood.
🇨🇦 24 Canadians Reported Missing
The latest list reports 24 Canadian nationals among those unaccounted for.
This creates another distinct international audience searching for information about the safety of Canadian travellers in Nepal.
Potential searches include:
- Canadians missing Nepal flood
- Canadian tourists Rasuwa
- Nepal flood Canada
- Canadians missing in Nepal
- Nepal flood today Canada
🇲🇾 19 Malaysians Reported Missing
The latest figures include 19 Malaysian nationals among those reported unaccounted for.
Malaysia has a significant connection with Nepal through tourism and regional travel.
International reporting has also identified Malaysian citizens among those affected by the disaster.
🇺🇦 7 Ukrainians Reported Missing
The latest nationality list includes 7 Ukrainian nationals.
While the number is smaller than the Indian, American, Australian and British groups, country-specific searches can still be highly relevant because families and communities often search using nationality-specific queries during disasters.
🇿🇦 6 South Africans Reported Missing
The latest figures list 6 South African nationals among those unaccounted for.
Earlier reporting also identified South African travellers among those affected by the Rasuwa flood.
🇸🇬 6 Singaporeans Reported Missing
The latest nationality list reports 6 Singaporean nationals among the unaccounted-for travellers.
For Singapore-based users, searches may include:
- Singaporeans missing Nepal
- Singapore tourists Nepal flood
- Nepal flood Singaporeans
- Rasuwa flood Singapore
🇳🇿 5 New Zealanders Reported Missing
The latest list includes 5 New Zealand nationals.
Although this is a relatively small number, the international nature of the disaster means that New Zealand families and media may also search for updates.
🇯🇵 5 Japanese Nationals Reported Missing
The nationality breakdown reports 5 Japanese travellers among those unaccounted for.
Japan has a long-established tourism relationship with Nepal, particularly in trekking and mountain tourism.
🇩🇪 4 Germans Reported Missing
The latest list includes 4 German nationals.
German tourists are among the international visitors who regularly travel through Nepal's mountain regions.
🇫🇷 3 French Nationals Reported Missing
Three French nationals are included in the latest nationality breakdown.
The number is small, but during a major international disaster even a small number of missing citizens can generate significant family and media attention.
🇪🇸 2 Spanish Nationals Reported Missing
The latest list reports 2 Spanish nationals among the unaccounted-for foreign travellers.
Spanish-language media are also reporting on the wider disaster and missing foreign nationals.
Why Were So Many Foreign Tourists in Rasuwa?
The high number of foreign nationals in the affected area is not random.
Rasuwa is a major gateway between Nepal and Tibet.
The road through:
Kathmandu → Rasuwa → Syabrubesi → Timure → Rasuwagadhi → Gyirong
is used by travellers heading toward the Nepal–China border.
The region also serves as a route for tourists, trekkers and pilgrims.
One major reason for the presence of Indian travellers is pilgrimage travel toward Mount Kailash in Tibet.
International reporting has noted that many of those affected were trekking or travelling on pilgrimage routes.
Mount Kailash Pilgrims Among Those Affected
The Rasuwa corridor is strategically important for people travelling from Nepal toward Tibet.
For Indian pilgrims in particular, the route can form part of a journey toward Mount Kailash, one of Asia's most important pilgrimage destinations.
Mount Kailash is regarded as sacred in several religious traditions.
This helps explain why such a large number of Indian travellers were in the region at the time of the flood.
The timing also coincided with the Janai Purnima period, according to AP reporting.
Where Were the Tourists When the Flood Hit?
The disaster affected the Bhotekoshi River corridor in Rasuwa, including areas around:
- Timure
- Syabrubesi
- Rasuwagadhi
- surrounding settlements
- roads toward the Tibet border
The sudden flood made it difficult for travellers to evacuate.
Roads and bridges were damaged, communications were disrupted and some areas became inaccessible.
Rescue teams have therefore faced major challenges in determining the exact whereabouts of every person listed as unaccounted for.
403 Missing Does Not Mean 403 Dead
This distinction is extremely important.
The phrase “403 missing” should not be interpreted as meaning 403 confirmed deaths.
The Nepal Tourism Board describes these people as unaccounted for or out of contact.
Some may:
- have survived and moved to safety;
- be staying in locations without communication;
- be travelling in groups;
- have been rescued but not yet formally identified;
- have phones that are not working;
- be in areas without network coverage.
Authorities are actively working to establish their status.
Therefore, casualty and missing-person figures should always be reported separately.
Rescue Operations Underway
Nepal's security forces and emergency responders are conducting search-and-rescue operations in the affected region.
The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters, while police, armed police, local authorities, tourism officials and other agencies are working to locate people.
A report published earlier in the day said that 88 people had been rescued by the Nepali Army, although weather conditions were complicating helicopter operations.
The difficult Himalayan terrain is one of the biggest obstacles.
Why Are Rescue Operations So Difficult?
Destroyed roads
Vehicles cannot reach some affected locations.
Damaged bridges
River crossings have been destroyed or compromised.
Poor weather
Helicopter operations can be suspended during adverse conditions.
Communication failures
Families may not be able to contact travellers.
Mountain terrain
Steep valleys and debris make ground searches difficult.
Continuing hazards
Landslides and unstable slopes create additional risks for rescuers.
A report from Reuters also described heavy sediment and difficult access conditions affecting rescue efforts.
Governments Are Monitoring Their Citizens
Because the missing travellers come from many countries, the disaster has generated an international consular response.
India, South Korea and other countries have been coordinating with Nepal regarding their citizens, according to international reporting.
For families searching for relatives, the most reliable information will generally come from:
- the person's government;
- embassy or consular services;
- Nepalese authorities;
- Nepal Tourism Board;
- police;
- registered tour operators;
- trekking agencies.
Social-media posts should be treated cautiously until verified.
Nepal Flood: Why the Missing Figure Increased From 384 to 403
People searching online may encounter both:
384 missing
and
403 missing.
Both figures were reported on August 26.
Earlier, the Nepal Tourism Board reported 384 tourists and trekkers out of contact, comprising 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis.
Later, the reported total increased to 403, with 341 foreign nationals and 62 Nepalis.
This does not necessarily mean that 19 new people disappeared during the day.
Rather, disaster information is being compiled from multiple tourism agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies.
As more records become available, the official list can change.
Nepal Flood Missing Tourists: What Families Should Know
If a family member is believed to be in the affected region, relatives should avoid relying solely on social-media rumours.
They should contact:
- The traveller's tour operator.
- The traveller's trekking agency.
- Their country's embassy or consular service.
- Nepal Tourism Board or Tourist Police.
- Local authorities where appropriate.
Families should provide:
- full name;
- nationality;
- passport information where requested;
- tour company;
- itinerary;
- last known location;
- hotel or accommodation;
- emergency contacts;
- photographs if requested.
International Search Interest Is Growing
The international nature of the missing-person situation gives this disaster a much broader search footprint than a typical Nepal flood.
People in different countries may search for:
India
Indian tourists missing Nepal flood
United States
Americans missing Nepal flood
United Kingdom
British tourists missing Nepal flood
Australia
Australians missing Nepal flood
Canada
Canadians missing Nepal flood
Malaysia
Malaysians missing Nepal flood
Japan
Japanese tourists missing Nepal
Germany
German tourists missing Nepal flood
France
French tourists missing Nepal
Spain
Spanish tourists missing Nepal flood
This is why Recent Natural Disasters should not make the article exclusively Nepal-focused.
It should be written as an international disaster information resource.
Nepal Flood 2026: International Missing-Person Dashboard
🇮🇳 India — 133
Largest foreign nationality group reported missing.
🇺🇸 United States — 47
Second-largest foreign nationality group.
🇦🇺 Australia — 34
Third-largest group.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — 33
Includes British travellers reported missing in the Rasuwa area.
🇨🇦 Canada — 24
Canadian nationals reported among the unaccounted-for travellers.
🇲🇾 Malaysia — 19
Malaysian nationals also reported missing.
🇺🇦 Ukraine — 7
Seven Ukrainian nationals reported.
🇿🇦 South Africa — 6
Six South African nationals reported.
🇸🇬 Singapore — 6
Six Singaporean nationals reported.
🇳🇿 New Zealand — 5
Five New Zealand nationals reported.
🇯🇵 Japan — 5
Five Japanese nationals reported.
🇩🇪 Germany — 4
Four German nationals reported.
🇫🇷 France — 3
Three French nationals reported.
🇪🇸 Spain — 2
Two Spanish nationals reported.
Nepal Flood and the International Tourism Industry
The incident also highlights how closely Nepal's tourism economy is connected to international travellers.
Nepal received more than 1.2 million foreign tourists during fiscal year 2025/26, with India, the United States, China, the United Kingdom and Australia among its major source markets.
A disaster affecting a major international travel corridor therefore has implications beyond the immediate affected communities.
Tour operators, airlines, trekking companies, pilgrimage organisers and governments may all need to respond.
Could the Number of Missing Tourists Change?
Yes.
The figure may:
Increase
If additional travel groups are identified as unaccounted for.
Decrease
If missing travellers are located and confirmed safe.
Be reclassified
Some people may initially be listed as missing but later confirmed to have left the affected region.
This is why timestamped updates are essential during a developing disaster.
Latest Nepal Flood Death Toll
The missing-person crisis is occurring alongside a rapidly changing death toll.
The Nepal government has reported 95 deaths in Nepal in the latest international reporting, while three deaths have been reported on the Chinese side of the border, bringing the combined toll to at least 98.
The figures have changed dramatically during the day as rescue teams have gained access to previously isolated areas.
Recent Natural Disasters will continue to separate:
confirmed deaths
from
people reported missing
and
people rescued or confirmed safe.
What Happened in Rasuwa?
The disaster began with a sudden surge of water associated with the Lhende/Bhotekoshi river system near the Nepal–Tibet border.
Reuters reported that an earthquake-induced ice-rock avalanche on the Lhende Khola was identified as the cause, while other reporting describes an avalanche-connected glacial surge.
The sudden flood destroyed:
- roads;
- bridges;
- homes;
- vehicles;
- hydropower infrastructure;
- border facilities.
The scale and speed of the event left little time for people in vulnerable locations to evacuate.
Could There Be Another Flood?
Authorities have warned of potential additional flooding because of an upstream blockage in the Lhende Khola, according to Reuters.
This is particularly important for communities downstream.
People should not assume that the end of the first flood wave means the emergency is over.
Residents should follow official warnings and move to safer, elevated locations if authorities instruct them to evacuate.
Nepal Flood Missing Tourists: Frequently Asked Questions
How many tourists are missing in Nepal?
The latest Nepal Tourism Board figure reported on August 26 is 403 tourists and travellers unaccounted for, including 341 foreign nationals and 62 Nepalis.
How many foreign tourists are missing?
341 foreign nationals are included in the latest reported figure.
How many Indians are missing in the Nepal flood?
The latest nationality breakdown reports 133 Indian nationals.
How many Americans are missing?
The latest list reports 47 US nationals.
How many British tourists are missing?
The latest list reports 33 British nationals.
How many Australians are missing?
The latest list reports 34 Australian nationals.
How many Canadians are missing?
The latest list reports 24 Canadian nationals.
How many Malaysians are missing?
The latest list reports 19 Malaysian nationals.
Which country has the most missing tourists?
India, with 133 nationals reported unaccounted for.
Are all 403 missing tourists dead?
No. Missing or unaccounted for does not mean confirmed dead. Authorities are still conducting search-and-rescue operations and verifying the status of individuals.
Where are the missing tourists?
Many were travelling through the Rasuwa–Bhotekoshi corridor toward the Nepal–China border. Authorities are still working to establish individual locations.
Why were so many foreign tourists in Rasuwa?
Rasuwa is a major route toward the Tibet border and is used by tourists, trekkers and pilgrims, including travellers heading toward Mount Kailash.
Is the Rasuwa flood still dangerous?
Yes. The situation remains dynamic, with continuing rescue operations and potential downstream flood risks.
Nepal Flood Missing Tourists: Latest Update
The 403 people reported unaccounted for represent one of the most significant international dimensions of the August 26 Nepal flood.
The latest figures include nationals from at least 14 foreign countries, in addition to Nepali nationals.
India has the largest number at 133, followed by the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada and Malaysia.
But these numbers are not final.
The Nepal Tourism Board and emergency agencies are continuing to verify lists and search for people in the affected Rasuwa and Bhotekoshi corridor.
As communications are restored and rescue teams reach isolated locations, the list of missing, rescued and confirmed-safe travellers is expected to change.
Recent Natural Disasters will update this article as new verified information becomes available.
Source and Data Note
The nationality figures in this article are based primarily on the latest Nepal Tourism Board figures reported by OnlineKhabar on August 26, 2026. Other international reports have published earlier figures during the rapidly evolving emergency.
Because this is an active disaster, figures should always be read with their publication/update time.