Search Continues for British Nationals
Families of British nationals missing in Nepal are travelling to the country as rescue teams continue their search. The effort follows devastating floods and landslides near the Nepal-Tibet border.
Nepalese authorities say hundreds of tourists remain missing after the disaster. At least 538 people have died. Several British citizens remain among those unaccounted for.
One of them is 51-year-old Neetu Goyal Tiwari. She travelled from London to India before continuing to Kathmandu. She had joined a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.
Her brother, Naresh Goyal, has appealed for help. He said the family has contacted government helplines and the British Embassy in Kathmandu. Tiwari had planned to return to India and meet her family.
Families Wait for News
Bipin and Mala Patel from Coventry are also missing. Their son Anant said the couple travelled to the region on pilgrimage. He believes they crossed into Tibet shortly before the landslide struck the Gyirong border area.
Pramod Poudel from East Sussex has also travelled to Nepal. He has not heard from his wife, Sumitra Sapkota, or other relatives since the floods hit.
Kent nurse Sarada Simkhada remains missing as well. Her family said she had travelled towards Mount Kailash when contact stopped.
A Surrey family of four also remains unaccounted for. The group includes 18-year-old Spandan Sahu, his parents and his 13-year-old sister.
Spandan had recently completed his A-levels. His former school said it was deeply concerned about the family and hoped for positive news.
Pilgrims Among the Missing
Many of the missing British nationals travelled to the region for pilgrimages to Mount Kailash. Several tour operators have reported missing travellers.
Alpine Eco Trek said it could not contact 12 British citizens booked on a Mount Kailash tour. Four Nepalese guides linked to the company are also missing.
Fishtail Tours and Travels has reported missing travellers too. The company said 27 people connected to one of its tours remain unaccounted for.
The Trekkers’ Society also reported nine missing British nationals. They had joined a tour to the sacred site.
What Caused the Disaster?
The floods struck Rasuwa, north of Kathmandu, early on Wednesday. Initial reports linked the disaster to an earthquake.
The US Geological Survey later offered a different explanation. It said a landslide caused a glacial collapse and debris flow near the border. The resulting disaster caused widespread destruction.
Rescue teams continue to search affected areas. Families are also travelling to Nepal as they try to locate their relatives.
UK Provides Support
The UK government has offered £5 million to support Nepal’s emergency response. British officials have also urged people in the region to follow local authorities’ instructions.
King Charles and Queen Camilla expressed their sympathy for those affected by the disaster.
For the families of the British nationals missing in Nepal, the search remains a race against time. They continue to wait for information about their loved ones.
