King 'heartbroken' by deadly Nepal flash floods

At least 469 people have died and several hundred remain missing after catastrophic flash floods struck near the Nepal-Tibet border following a glacial collapse. Nepalese authorities reported that 644 tourists are among those unaccounted for, including at least 33 UK residents, among them a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy.

King Charles III said he and Queen Camilla were heartbroken by the disaster, expressing their profound sympathy to those who lost loved ones and to families anxiously awaiting news. The King highlighted the deep personal ties many in the United Kingdom hold with the region. The Prince and Princess of Wales also voiced shock and offered thoughts to everyone caught up in the disaster.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the situation as very distressing and devastating, confirming that the British government has offered 5 million pounds in assistance to the Nepalese government. The Foreign Office stated it is working closely with Nepalese authorities, while urging people in the region to follow local instructions amid warnings from officials of potential secondary flooding risks along the Bhote Koshi river.

The flood struck early Wednesday morning in the Rasuwa district, located north of Kathmandu. Initial assessments suggested an earthquake had occurred, but data from the US Geological Survey later confirmed that a magnitude 5.2 seismic event was produced by a glacial collapse and massive debris flow near the border at 08:37 local time.

Many of the missing international travelers were participating in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, considered the spiritual home of the god Shiva. The pilgrimage had recently resumed following suspensions caused by the pandemic and regional political tensions. Multiple tour operators, including Alpine Eco Trek, The Trekkers' Society, Kailash Journeys, Himalayan Glacier US, and Fishtail Tours, reported lost contact with clients and staff. Alpine Eco Trek confirmed that 12 British tourists and four Nepali guides were in the region when the floods hit and remain out of contact. The Trekkers' Society noted nine missing British nationals.

Relatives of missing UK residents have described severe disruptions across the affected zone. Pramod Pudel, an East Sussex resident flying back to search for his family, reported that power, telephone communications, and bridges across the area have been destroyed, leaving communities isolated. Other British residents, including Rajendra Pudasaini and Barun Lamichhane, reported relatives who were killed or swept away by the swift waters, while families of travelers such as Leena Bector and Julija Jakovicka continue to appeal for assistance in locating their loved ones. Search and rescue efforts remain ongoing despite severe damage to local infrastructure.