Nepal Floods: 31 Foreign Nationals Rescued, 359 Bodies Of Victims Recovered

By Shakir Husain

HYDERABAD, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- Thirty-one foreign nationals were rescued in Nepal as the death toll from Wednesday’s devastating floods rose to 359 on Thursday afternoon.

None of the rescued foreigners has been identified as Malaysian, according to a tally released by Nepal's tourism board, as of 5.30 pm local time (7.45 pm Malaysia Time).

"Rescue, evacuation and verification efforts are continuing in coordination with travel agencies, trekking companies, guides, local authorities and security agencies," it said.

Eleven of the foreign travellers rescued are from India, four South Koreans, two each from Russia and Italy, one Bulgarian, one Swiss, and the status of eight has not been confirmed.

Hundreds of foreigners, including 55 Malaysians, and Nepalese remain untraced following the catastrophe caused by a glacial collapse in the Nepal-China border region.

The flooding in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers struck many districts in Nepal.

The number of bodies recovered stood at 132 in Chitwan, followed by 82 in Nawalparasi East, 33 in Dhading, 30 in Gorkha, 28 in Nuwakot, 22 in Tanahun, 17 in Rasuwa, and 15 in Nawalparasi West, according to a Kathmandu Post report, citing Nepal police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle.

-- BERNAMA