Nepal-Tibet flood deaths rise to 168 amid search for hundreds of missing tourists

Nepal-Tibet flood deaths rise to 168 against the backdrop of search for hundreds of missing tourists The Nepal Tourism Board unveiled that 65 Americans are among the missing.

Key points

• ABC News' Desiree Adib, Somayeh Malekian, Charlotte Gardiner, Shannon Kingston, Joseph Simonetti, Dada Jovanovic and Meghan Mistry contributed to this report.
• The Isha Foundation confirmed to ABC News that 22 of those 77 individuals were Americans.
• More than 1, 300 individuals remained missing as of Thursday morning, authorities stated.
• Three missing Americans were listed as traveling with a Nepali firm called Fishtail Tours and Travel.
• The flood was reportedly triggered by a landslide regarding 12 miles northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border post along the Nepal-China frontier, according to Nepal Disaster Management.

Nepal-Tibet flood deaths rise to 168 against the backdrop of search for hundreds of missing tourists. Prabin Ranabhat/AFP via Getty Images. ByDavid Brennan and Megan Fahrney. August 27, 2026, 3: 32 AM.

LONDON — At least 168 individuals have been confirmed killed by the massive flash flooding that ravaged the Nepal-Tibet border region on Wednesday, emergency authorities in Nepal and China stated. More than 1, 300 individuals remained missing as of Thursday morning, authorities stated.

As search and rescue efforts continued in Nepal on Thursday, authorities there remarked that at least 165 bodies had been recovered.

At least 826 individuals — among them 579 tourists, of whom 476 are foreign nationals and 114 Nepali nationals — were still out of contact, the Nepal National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority stated.

Throughout the border in the Chinese region of Tibet, the state-run Xinhua News Agency noted on Thursday that three individuals were confirmed killed with 558 others still missing, citing local office-holders.

Notably, the number of those considered missing fluctuated significantly as recovery efforts accelerated. The Nepal Tourism Board confirmed on Thursday that 65 Americans are among the missing.

Hundreds missing, including 47 Americans, in deadly Nepal floods, local authorities say.

In practice, the flooding, captured in dramatic video footage, occurred in the northern Rasuwa district, along the border with Tibet, at around 8: 40 a.m. Local time on Wednesday, authorities remarked, inundating areas along the Trishuli River, burying some buildings and damaging bridges and roadways.

In an official note, Nepal's office of the prime minister expressed "deep sorrow" over the loss of life. "Offering heartfelt tribute to all those who lost their lives in this natural disaster, it extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved families and relatives, " the statement shared on social media remarked.

Meanwhile, the prime minister's office afterwards stated search and rescue operations carried out by the Nepali Army would continue through the night.

Notably, the State Department remarked the number of Americans among the missing and otherwise impacted by the floods fluctuated throughout the day on Wednesday.

"The United States extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the devastating flash floods in the Rasuwa district of Nepal. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this disaster, " a department spokesperson remarked in an official note issued afterwards Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson remarked the State Department is "closely monitoring the situation and is deploying a disaster response advisor to the region to backing response efforts. The Department will additionally provide $500, 000 in assistance through its global award with Catholic Relief Services, supporting emergency shelter, relief items, and water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance to flood-affected communities."

In practice, an Indian spiritual leader and entrepreneur, known as Sadhguru, remarked in a post to social media that 77 residents who were on tours organized by his Isha Foundation were at an immigration center at the Nepal-Tibet border when the floodwaters hit.

In practice, the Isha Foundation confirmed to ABC News that 22 of those 77 individuals were Americans. The organization, which is headquartered in India, additionally has a base in McMinnville, Tennessee. The group's coordinator informed ABC News the organization has been in touch with family members in the U.S.

Three missing Americans were listed as traveling with a Nepali firm called Fishtail Tours and Travel. The agency confirmed to ABC News that three American nationals are among the missing tourists traveling with them.

In practice, the flood was reportedly triggered by a landslide regarding 12 miles northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border post along the Nepal-China frontier, according to Nepal Disaster Management.

In practice, a 5.2-magnitude landslide was registered in Nepal on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

For context, the seismic activity from the landslide was initially erroneously documented as a 4.4-magnitude earthquake, the agency stated. It is unclear what triggered the landslide.

Meanwhile, a geophysicist at New York's Columbia University informed ABC News it appeared a landslide in the Himalayas took away a substantial glacier, or parts of one, in the mountain pass.

For now, nepal-Tibet flood deaths rise to 168 amid search for hundreds of missing remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.