As the death toll continues to climb in Nepal following Wednesday’s catastrophic flash floods, dozens of people are waiting desperately outside hospitals in Kathmandu on Thursday, hoping for any news of their missing relatives. The disaster has claimed hundreds of lives and left more than a thousand people unaccounted for.
Footage from the BBC published Thursday shows crowds of anxious family members gathered outside one of the capital’s hospitals, where survivors have been airlifted by helicopter for emergency treatment. Outside the medical facilities, relatives wait in anguish, trying to determine whether their loved ones are safe, trapped under debris, or among the missing.
Emotional Scenes as Families Search for News
Among those waiting is Ram Kumari Shrestha, whose husband was driving toward the town of Rasuwa when the floods struck. “It’s my husband. He was going to Rasuwa for his job as a driver. I heard from him until 8 p.m. yesterday, but I couldn’t reach him this morning. His phone was switched off,” she told the BBC on Wednesday.
Outside Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, Subash Khatani shared a similar story with AFP. “My elder brother is among those who have gone missing. We are still searching for him,” he said.
Other videos published by Saudi English-language media outlets Arab News and Al Arabiya English show grieving families embracing each other and wiping away tears as they confront the uncertainty of the disaster’s aftermath.
Hundreds of Foreign Tourists Among the Missing
Many people are also checking hospital lists of the injured or photographing them for reference, according to Reuters. Outside the hospitals, rescue teams continue their efforts to locate the missing.
The latest official toll reports at least 180 dead and 1,300 missing, including hundreds of foreign tourists. Four French nationals are among those unaccounted for, according to local authorities, though the French Foreign Ministry has not yet confirmed that figure.
Twenty-four hours after the devastating flood swept through the region, Nepalese authorities have lost contact with 823 people, according to a count by the country’s emergency management authority. Of those, 517 are foreign nationals.
Across the border, Chinese state media reported that 558 people, including 260 foreigners, remain missing after “mud torrents” buried the port of Gyirong in Tibet.
Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Mounting Toll
The catastrophic flooding was triggered by a combination of seismic activity and an avalanche, creating a massive surge of water and debris that swept through vulnerable areas. The disaster has overwhelmed local emergency services and prompted international concern as the scale of the missing persons crisis becomes clear.
As families maintain their vigil outside hospitals and rescue operations press forward, the full extent of the tragedy in Nepal is still unfolding. Authorities warn that the death toll may rise significantly as search teams reach more remote areas affected by the floods.
