A Bulgarian is among the foreign nationals reported missing after devastating flash floods and mudslides struck the border region between Nepal and China's Tibet Autonomous Region, according to an updated list released by the Nepal Tourism Board on August 27.
The list, which was updated as of noon local time, contains 644 people from different countries who remain unaccounted for. The broader number of people missing in Nepal and Tibet has been reported at nearly 1,500, although figures from the two sides may overlap. At least 162 deaths have been officially confirmed in one of the latest tallies, while other updates put the combined death toll at 167 or higher.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not confirmed the report about the missing Bulgarian. Pavlina Ilieva, chairwoman of the Management Board of the Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agents "Future for Tourism," told BTA that there was currently no information about injured or distressed Bulgarian tourists traveling as part of organized groups.
Ilieva said Asia is currently experiencing an active monsoon season, with torrential rains and typhoons affecting the region. Because of the weather conditions, licensed Bulgarian tour operators are not organizing excursions there at this time, she said. The remaining risk therefore concerns individual travelers or unregulated groups involved in climbing and adventure tourism.
