Nepal floods: No Azerbaijani citizens reported among victims

There has been no information so far indicating that Azerbaijani citizens are among those killed, injured, or missing following the devastating floods along the Nepal-China border, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Press Service Department Head Ayhan Hajizada told APA that no information about Azerbaijani nationals affected by the disaster had been received.

The statement comes as Nepal and China continue large-scale search and rescue operations following catastrophic flash floods that swept through the Himalayan border region on August 26.

The disaster has caused a rapidly rising death toll and left hundreds of people unaccounted for. Nepal’s Tourism Board said 517 foreign nationals remained out of contact on Thursday, while Reuters reported that at least 476 foreign tourists from 29 countries were among those missing in Nepal.

Among the missing were citizens of India, the United States, Ukraine, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Japan and several other countries. Reuters reported that 53 Ukrainians and five Russians were among those reported missing.

The flooding struck the Bhotekoshi River area near the Nepal-China border, sweeping away roads, bridges, buildings and vehicles. The affected region includes routes used by tourists and pilgrims travelling toward Mount Kailash in Tibet, a major Hindu pilgrimage destination.

Scientists and disaster experts have linked the catastrophe to a glacial collapse and ice-rock avalanche, which sent a massive surge of water and debris down the mountain valleys. The U.S. Geological Survey initially recorded what appeared to be a magnitude 4.4 earthquake but later determined that the seismic signal was generated by the collapse itself.

The disaster has also severely damaged infrastructure. Dozens of kilometres of roads and numerous bridges have been destroyed, complicating access for rescue teams. Authorities have warned residents to stay away from several major rivers because of continuing risks.

Rescue teams in Nepal and China are continuing efforts to locate survivors and establish the whereabouts of those still missing. Given the large number of foreign nationals affected, governments are also working with local authorities to verify the safety of their citizens

By Vugar Khalilov