At least 77 Isha Foundation pilgrims are among those unaccounted for after a flash flood struck northern Nepal
More than 800 people remain missing after a flash flood in Nepal, with at least 77 Isha Foundation pilgrims among those unaccounted for after returning from the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
Kathmandu: More than 800 people remain missing in Nepal following a devastating flash flood, while authorities have said that a glacier collapse and debris flow triggered the disaster.
At least 77 people travelling with the Isha Foundation, founded by Indian spiritual leader Sadhguru, are among those whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Also Read: Nepal Flash Flood Death Toll Reaches 162 as Hundreds Remain Missing
The group had completed its pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar and was travelling back towards Kathmandu when contact was lost, according to Maa Gambhiri, a coordinator with the foundation.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Gambhiri said one of the foundation’s team members spoke with group leader Praveen at 9:05 am local time on Wednesday.
When the team attempted to contact him again around 10 minutes later, they were unable to establish communication with him or anyone else in the group.
“We couldn't get through to him or anyone else. It seems the incident occurred within those ten minutes,” Gambhiri said.
The Isha Foundation said it is continuing to wait for information from the authorities regarding the missing pilgrims.
The group reportedly includes people from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and several European and Asian countries. Gambhiri said many of the pilgrims are of Indian origin.
UK Nationals Among Those Missing
A Nepalese tour operator has also confirmed that nine UK nationals remain missing after crossing the Nepal-Tibet border during a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.
The Trekkers’ Society told the PA news agency that the nine British citizens were part of one of its tours. The group consists of four males aged between 14 and 54 and five females aged between 40 and 53.
Roshan Basnet, general manager of the tour company, said the group was still at the Chinese immigration point at the border when the flooding occurred.
“When the flood happened, they were still at the Chinese immigration (at) the border. After the flood happened, we had no contact with our tour guide,” Basnet told PA.
He also said some of his relatives were part of the trip and that the company had not received information about their whereabouts.
The latest information from Nepali police cited in reports puts the number of missing UK nationals at 33, indicating that the nine people confirmed by the tour operator are part of a larger group of British nationals currently unaccounted for.
Glacier Collapse Triggered Nepal Flash Flood
Authorities have said the flash flood was triggered by a glacier-related collapse and debris flow rather than an earthquake.
The disaster affected areas along the Nepal-Tibet border and caused extensive damage to settlements and infrastructure. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate people who remain missing.
The large number of missing pilgrims and tourists has complicated the search operation, particularly in areas affected by flooding and debris.
Authorities are working to gather information from tour operators, local administrations and families as rescue operations continue.
The whereabouts of the Isha Foundation group and other missing pilgrims remain unknown, while officials continue efforts to establish the scale of the disaster and locate those who may still be stranded.
