Dozens Of Americans Remain Missing After Devastating Flood On Nepal-China Border
The U.S. State Department reported on Tuesday, September 1, that approximately 80 to 85 American citizens remain unaccounted for after the catastrophic flash flooding struck the Nepal-China border on August 26.
Thirteen Americans have been confirmed to have reached safety in Nepal, according to a State Department spokesperson. No American deaths have been confirmed.
“Well, as of 6 a.m. this morning, I can say we now have 85 Americans, approximately, that are unaccounted for,” State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott told ABC News. He added that nine Americans had been safely evacuated at that time and that the department was “currently unaware of any U.S. citizen deaths at this time.” A later State Department statement confirmed that 13 Americans had made their way to safety.
Pigott noted that rescue efforts have been hindered due to the scale of the destruction and the area’s remote nature. “The remoteness of this location makes getting reliable information difficult, but our dedication remains,” he said.
As of this report, the United States has provided $3.6 million in emergency humanitarian assistance, including food aid for up to 10,000 households.
About 80 Americans and thousands of others remain missing after the catastrophic flash floods in Nepal, U.S. officials said, as families collect what they can and sort through what remains of a community in ruins.
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— ABC News (@ABC) September 1, 2026
The flood occurred on the morning of August 26 8:37 to 9 a.m. local time near the Rasuwagadhi-Gyirong border crossing. Scientists and officials attributed it to a glacial collapse in the Himalayas, in which a large section of ice broke away, which triggered a landslide and sent a surge of water, ice, rock, and mud downriver.
Researcher Su Pengcheng of the Chengdu Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment stated that the event at the checkpoint lasted less than seven minutes. The torrent followed the Trishuli and Bhotekoshi rivers into Nepal’s Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts and Tibet’s Gyirong County.
All told, the flood damaged or destroyed villages, the border immigration complex, at least 19 bridges, nearly 25 miles of roadway, and multiple hydropower projects. Rescue operations have focused on 12 hydropower sites where hundreds of workers were unaccounted for, some of whom are believed to be trapped in tunnels.
Temporary bridges have been constructed with assistance from India and China, and some road access in Nuwakot has been restored. Over 11,000 people have been rescued overall, including 315 foreign nationals as of this report.
As of September 1, Nepal’s disaster authority reported 987 confirmed deaths and 3,916 people missing on its side of the border, including 583 foreigners from more than 30 countries. Chinese authorities reported 16 deaths and 546 missing in Tibet, including 261 foreigners from 23 countries. Combined figures stand at 1,003 confirmed deaths and approximately 4,462 missing.
Among the missing foreigners are large numbers of Indian citizens, as well as nationals from Ukraine, Malaysia, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Many of those unaccounted for, including groups of Americans, were pilgrims traveling to or from Mount Kailash in Tibet or workers at hydropower facilities. Search and recovery efforts continue on both sides of the border.
The U.S. Embassy in Nepal and State Department continue to coordinate with local authorities to account for citizens and provide assistance. Concerned families may contact the State Department at 1-888-407-4747.
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