70 Americans still unaccounted for after catastrophic Nepal flooding
U.S. State Department Reports 70 Americans Still Missing in Nepal’s Flood‑Hit Border Zone
The United States State Department has announced that about 70 Americans remain unaccounted for in the Nepal‑China border region after the catastrophic August 26 glacier collapse that triggered widespread flooding and mudslides. Only 18 Americans have been confirmed safe, a number that has risen by two since the last update.
The U.S. agency said it is “in close contact with the families of Americans who remain unaccounted for” and will continue to provide regular updates. In a statement to Fox News, a State Department official expressed “deepest sympathy to all those affected by the flooding in Nepal, and their families,” and reaffirmed the country’s enduring friendship with the Nepali people. The official also warned Americans against traveling to the disaster zone, citing ongoing risks of flash floods and landslides.
The latest figures lowered the number of missing Americans from 75 to 70, while the confirmed safe count increased from 16 to 18. No American deaths have been confirmed at this time. Officials stressed that the situation remains fluid, with rescue efforts ongoing and new information likely to emerge.
Search Efforts Focus on Hydropower Tunnels
In Nepal, authorities are concentrating their search operations on three hydropower project tunnels, where rescuers believe dozens of workers may still be trapped under debris from the glacier collapse. “Our search operation is focused on finding survivors, including in tunnels,” said Dharma Raj Upreti, chief of Nepal’s disaster authority. He added that the biggest focus is the Chilime hydroelectric project, where workers were known to stay in a canteen and residence that had provisions for food.
The August 26 event, a sudden glacier collapse, released an enormous volume of water that surged down the border region, causing severe flooding and mudslides. The disaster has already claimed at least 1,399 lives across Nepal and China’s Tibet region, with more than 5,400 people missing. Both governments have blamed climate change for the glacier’s instability and subsequent collapse.
International Response and Rescue Operations
Rescue teams have employed unconventional methods to reach isolated communities. In some areas, ziplines were used to transport trapped citizens when bridges were destroyed by the floods. While the U.S. is monitoring the situation closely, it has reiterated that it is working with local authorities and the U.S. Embassy to locate missing nationals and assist families.
The United Nations and international aid agencies continue to support relief efforts in the border region, providing emergency supplies and medical assistance to the thousands of displaced residents. Nepal’s government has declared a state of emergency in the affected provinces and has requested additional resources from neighboring countries.
As the search for survivors and missing Americans continues, the State Department has pledged to keep the public informed of any new developments. Families of those unaccounted for are urged to maintain contact with the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for updates and assistance.