The number of missing people has risen to 403, with 33 UK citizens among 341 foreign nationals unaccounted for after devastating flash floods struck the Rasuwa region00:45, 27 Aug 2026Rescuers are frantically searching for dozens of British nationals among those missing and feared dead in Nepal following catastrophic flash floods that have claimed more than 150 lives.‌Nepal Police confirmed on Wednesday evening that 157 bodies had been retrieved after devastating flooding in the Rasuwa region of Nepal, which shares a border with China's autonomous region of Tibet.‌The Nepal Tourist Board reported on Wednesday that the tally of missing individuals had climbed from 384 to 403, with 33 UK citizens amongst 341 foreign nationals whose whereabouts remain unknown.‌Flash floods caused rivers to burst their banks, spreading thick mud across inhabited areas, engulfing homes and creating treacherous conditions for rescue teams.Footage shared on social media captured massive flood waters tearing through valleys as people screamed in fear, with bridges swept away by the deluge. Additional footage showed people desperately scrambling uphill to outrun the advancing muddy torrent.‌The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a magnitude 5.2 seismic event struck near the Nepal-China border on Wednesday at 8.37am local time. It stated that a "glacial collapse and debris flow" triggered "subsequent catastrophic impacts downstream".Kalpana Malla, from Nepal's Nuwakot district, told BBC News: "My family members were swept away by the flood in front of my eyes." Ms Malla said her father, mother, sister and her sister's children were all carried away by the floods.‌She added: "They could not escape the flood, there was no chance at all. This flood took everything, but my son and I climbed the rooftop of a house and survived, but couldn't explain how."Rajan Shrestha, the mayor of Bidur municipality, told The Times that he had "never seen such a massive flood in my life" and estimated that about 400 people may have been swept away. He added: "And it came so fast. We could not evacuate all the people from the main town."‌Sunil Sharma, a tourism board spokesman, revealed that 133 of those missing were from India on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet – a sacred site for Hindus.Also amongst the missing were 47 people from the US, 34 from Australia, and 24 from Canada, he added. According to the tourist board, 203 of the missing are male and 200 female.‌Tour operator Alpine Eco Trek confirmed that a 13 year old girl was amongst the missing British nationals, along with two Irish citizens.Travel logs obtained by the Press Association reveal that the missing British nationals include three men aged 65, 64, and 52, and seven women aged 44, 47, 51, 60, 63, 63, and 65.The firm, which provides guided tours and expeditions throughout Nepal, also confirmed that four of its Nepalese tour guides – aged 38, 35, 45 and 29 – are unaccounted for.‌Kumar Adhikari, the manager of Alpine Eco Trek, told the Press Association: "I feel so sad. We are just thinking about what to do next. We are in pain at the moment, deep pain."Mr Adhikari explained the tour group, who were on a nine-day tour to Mount Kailash, were entering Tibet from Nepal when they became stranded at the border as the flash floods hit.‌He revealed he maintained contact with his tour guides until 8.40am when their phones went dead, by which time the group would have been within Tibet's immigration office."We were hoping that inside it was safe," he said. "But later the video came from China's government which (showed) even Tibet's side was hit by the flood."Article continues belowIn its assessment, the USGS stated: "This event was initially reported as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake. Additional analysis of nearby seismic stations, long period seismic waves, and satellite imagery led to the determination that the seismic event was instead a glacial collapse and debris flow, and that no earthquake had occurred."Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Wednesday that the Government will do "everything we can" to support British nationals in Nepal following the floods.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the floods in Nepal". It continued: "British nationals in Nepal should follow local authority advice and exercise caution while travelling. For consular assistance call (+44) (0)207 008 5000 or (+977) (0)14237100."