Catastrophic flooding follows major landslide on the Nepal-China border

A massive landslide involving mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river on the border of Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, triggering catastrophic flooding. The disaster struck a region popular with trekkers and pilgrims, connecting Lhasa in Tibet to Kathmandu, Nepal. While officials are still confirming the toll, police have reported a death count of at least 165, with fears that this number will rise significantly as search operations continue.

Authorities report that approximately 1,500 people, including at least 800 foreigners, are currently missing across the region. Specifically in Nepal, police state that nearly 600 foreigners are among the 826 reported missing. Rescue teams are utilizing helicopters to search for survivors and deliver emergency supplies to thousands of people who remain cut off due to the destruction of infrastructure. The Cypriot Foreign Ministry confirmed that, as of Wednesday, there were no reports of Cypriot nationals among the casualties or the missing.

Constantinos Kombos, the Foreign Minister of Cyprus, expressed deep condolences for the victims and solidarity with those affected. As search and recovery efforts proceed in the rugged mountainous terrain, authorities expect the official death toll to increase as more bodies are recovered from the flood-affected valleys and towns.