King 'heartbroken' by deadly Nepal flash floods
Some 33 people from the UK are missing, including a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy.
By BBC News
King Charles has expressed that he and Queen Camilla are “heartbroken” following the devastating flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border, with reports indicating that 33 individuals from the UK are currently missing, including a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have also shared their concern, stating they are thinking of everyone affected by this tragic event. The death toll in Nepal has reportedly risen to at least 469, with over 1,300 individuals unaccounted for, including 644 tourists, according to Nepali authorities.
In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that the UK government is offering £5 million in aid to assist the Nepalese government. He described the situation as “very distressing and devastating.”
King Charles conveyed his “most profound sympathy” to the families who have lost loved ones, highlighting the deep connections many in the UK have to the region. He expressed empathy for the families anxiously awaiting news of their relatives.
The UK Prime Minister and the Foreign Office have advised individuals to adhere to local guidance and remain vigilant, as officials in Nepal have warned of a potential secondary flood risk near the Bhote Koshi river. The Foreign Office is reportedly collaborating closely with Nepalese authorities.
Among those missing is Leena Bector from Slough, confirmed by Fishtail Tours and Travels. Her husband, Bhupesh Bector, is travelling to Nepal in hopes of finding her. He stated, “I know that she's in Nepal for sure, so even if they find her today or tomorrow, I need to be there.”
Pramod Pudel, a British resident originally from Nepal, expressed his distress over the situation, stating that “nothing remains” of his family’s home and that he is returning to search for his missing relatives.
Rajendra Pudasaini, a nurse from Essex, reported that several of his relatives were swept away by the floods. He shared that his wife’s aunt, uncle, and their granddaughter are among the missing.
Barun Lamichhane, a Nepalese man living in Aberdeen, revealed that his brother, uncle, and cousin died in the disaster, while his mother, father, and grandmother managed to escape by crawling to safety.
Families are anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones, including Tatajana Phillips from Folkestone, who is searching for her sister, Julija Jakovicka, last known to be in the border area shortly before the floods struck.
Tour companies such as Alpine Eco Trek and The Trekkers' Society have reported missing British nationals who were on trips in the region at the time of the floods. Alpine Eco Trek noted that they have been unable to contact 12 Britons who were on a tour to Mount Kailash.
The floods occurred early on Wednesday in Rasuwa, just north of Kathmandu. Preliminary reports suggested the floods were triggered by an earthquake, but further analysis indicated they were caused by a landslide linked to a glacial collapse.