Four South Africans missing as devastating Nepal floods leave hundreds unaccounted for

Nepal

Cape Town – Four South Africans are among hundreds of people missing after devastating flash floods and landslides struck Nepal’s mountainous Rasuwa district near the Tibet border, with South African humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers placing its search-and-rescue teams on standby.

According to The Citizen, the four South Africans are believed to be two couples. Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said the organisation was contacted by the daughter of one of the missing South African couples seeking assistance.

“The tour operator confirmed a second South African couple and several international tourists are missing,” Sooliman said.

He said the disaster had destroyed roads and infrastructure, making access to the affected areas extremely difficult.

“Helicopter surveillance is the only means of access as all roads have been destroyed,” Sooliman said. He added that landing remained difficult because of the high water levels and lack of solid ground, while authorities were also concerned about the possibility of a dam collapsing.

Gift of the Givers has placed 11 urban search-and-rescue specialists, four South African Police Service dog handlers and four search dogs on standby should Nepal formally request international assistance. Sooliman said the organisation was already communicating with Nepalese disaster management officials and preparing logistics for a possible deployment.

Hundreds of tourists missing

The disaster has affected a large number of foreign tourists and pilgrims travelling through the region.

The Nepal Tourism Board initially reported 384 travellers unaccounted for, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalese citizens. The foreign nationals include people from India, Australia, Britain, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Korea, the United States and South Africa. Nepalese authorities stressed that the figures remain preliminary and are being verified with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies.

SABC News reported that the missing travellers include four South Africans, while rescue operations were being conducted by Nepalese security forces using helicopters. The broadcaster said the floodwaters were so high in some areas that helicopters could not land.

The Guardian, meanwhile, said the missing included British nationals, including a 13-year-old girl, highlighting the international scale of the disaster.

Death toll rises

The death toll has risen sharply as rescue teams reach areas cut off by the floods.

A report by AFP said on Thursday that at least 165 people had died in Nepal and Tibet, with entire villages swept away. Nepalese police had recovered 162 bodies, while three deaths were reported on the Chinese side of the border.

The floods swept through communities along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, destroying homes, bridges, roads and other infrastructure. Rescue teams have been working through thick mud and debris to locate survivors and recover bodies.

David Fisher, Nepal head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, described the destruction as extensive.

“Entire villages and market areas have been wiped out,” Fisher said.

Gift of the Givers holds back deployment

Despite having teams ready to travel, Gift of the Givers has not yet deployed its personnel because of the dangerous conditions and the absence of a formal request for international assistance.

Speaking to Eyewitness News, Sooliman said Nepalese officials had advised the organisation not to send teams immediately.

“They suggested not sending any teams for now because there’s no clarity as to an announcement being made by the Nepalese government for international assistance,” he said.

He added that the situation was particularly dangerous because of the possibility of further destruction.

“It’s too high-risk because of secondary destruction, and they’re expecting another dam to collapse, and thirdly, because there’s no access.”

The organisation is engaging with the Nepalese Embassy in South Africa, while the Department of International Relations and Cooperation is expected to provide diplomatic assistance should a deployment be authorised.

What caused the disaster?

Initial reports suggested that an earthquake may have triggered an avalanche or landslide, but subsequent scientific analysis pointed to a different explanation.

The US Geological Survey said seismic activity initially thought to have been an earthquake was instead associated with a glacial collapse and debris flow, which sent a massive surge of water, mud and rock downstream.

The sudden torrent swept away vehicles, bridges and buildings and severely damaged infrastructure in the mountainous region.

Authorities have also warned that another flood could occur if debris remains lodged upstream and suddenly gives way. Climate experts have warned that rising temperatures and changing conditions in the Himalayas are increasing the risks associated with glacial instability and extreme weather.

Rescue efforts continue

Nepalese Army helicopters have been conducting rescue operations, while thousands of police and emergency personnel have been deployed in affected areas. China has also mobilised hundreds of emergency workers on the Tibetan side of the border.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said the priority was to locate those still missing.

“The most urgent task is doing everything possible to search for and rescue the missing people,” Xi said.

For the families of the four South Africans and hundreds of other missing travellers, the search remains an anxious wait as authorities assess the scale of the devastation and determine whether additional international rescue teams can safely enter the affected region.

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