At least 547 people have been killed and more than 1,500 people remain missing following catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-China border, according to U.S. and local officials. Approximately 90 Americans are currently unaccounted for in the region.

The State Department has confirmed that three U.S. citizens have been safely rescued and stated it is not aware of any confirmed American deaths. However, the Nepal Tourism Board lists 65 Americans among 667 missing travellers in Nepal. The board's latest update indicates the missing include 540 foreign nationals and 127 Nepalis. Authorities are working with local officials, trekking companies, guides, and travel agencies to verify the whereabouts of those in the flood zone. The State Department's broader figure includes Americans who may be affected or unaccounted for beyond the specific list provided by the tourism board.

Pilgrimage groups and missing persons

Many of those missing were travelling to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a site considered sacred by Buddhists, Hindus, and others. The Isha Foundation, a spiritual organisation based in India, reported that 22 Americans affiliated with its group are unaccounted for. The organisation stated that 77 people returning from Mount Kailash with its pilgrimage groups were at an immigration centre in Gyirong, Tibet, when the flooding occurred.

Among the missing is Venus Rajnikant Patel, a 45-year-old Indian-born U.S. citizen from Ohio who was participating in a guided pilgrimage. His brother reported that Patel had called family members a few hours before the flooding, expressing excitement about crossing into Tibet after planning the trip for two years.

Causes and rescue operations

The flooding began on Wednesday following an ice-and-rock landslide and a glacier collapse in the Himalayas. This event unleashed a torrent of debris and water through communities in Tibet and Nepal. While the U.S. Geological Survey initially reported a magnitude 4.4 earthquake in the area, it later determined the seismic event was caused by the glacier collapse and debris flow.

Rescue efforts have resulted in more than 3,700 people being saved, with over 3,200 individuals airlifted by helicopter. However, rescue teams attempting to reach isolated communities have been slowed by damaged power infrastructure, bridges, and roads. Officials are also monitoring a barrier lake that has formed on the Chinese side of the border; the lake has begun overflowing, causing concerns regarding further flooding.

U.S. government response

President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that U.S. officials have spoken with leaders in Nepal and offered to provide

anything they want.

He noted there were an estimated 50 to 60 Americans in the area but acknowledged that a full accounting had not been finished.

The State Department is deploying a disaster-response adviser and providing $500,000 for emergency shelter, relief supplies, water, sanitation and hygiene assistance.