Nepal flood death toll hits 626, nearly 2,000 still missing

The death toll from devastating flash floods in Nepal has risen to 626, with nearly 1,924 people still missing, according to the country’s disaster relief authorities.

At least seven people have also died in Tibet, while 554 remain missing, according to figures reported by Chinese state media.

The figures remain fluid, with different authorities providing varying casualty estimates.

Nepal’s authorities said at least 517 foreign nationals are among those reported missing, highlighting the scale of the disaster in a region popular with trekkers and pilgrims.

The flooding struck on Wednesday after a glacier collapse triggered a massive surge of water through the Himalayan border region. The flood swept through homes and roads and destroyed a key crossing between Nepal and Tibet.

Rescue and recovery operations are continuing amid difficult conditions and concerns over further flooding in the affected areas.

Relatives of those missing are anxiously awaiting news, with one London-based man telling the BBC he was “hoping and really praying” for the safe return of his parents, who were in the disaster-hit region.

Information from Tibet remains limited, with reports largely based on Chinese state media as authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage.