Thirty-four Australians are among those missing after a massive flash flood in the border region between Nepal and China, the Australian government said on Thursday.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said gathering information was difficult because Nepal, as a developing country, did not have the resources Australia would have available to respond to such an event, Australian media reported.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the significant flooding in Nepal and Tibet, China," Albanese wrote on X. "Australians in the affected area should follow the advice of local authorities."
Fifteen of the missing Australians were travelling in the region with US tour operator Himalayan Glacier, the Sydney Morning Herald reported, citing company chief Sagar Pandey. Two were believed to be children aged 11 and 14 who were likely travelling with their parents. The oldest person reported missing was a 64-year-old woman.
The group comprised 40 tourists: 15 Australians, 10 Canadians, eight US citizens, two Singaporeans, two Britons, one Russian and two Nepalis, according to the report. Seven local staff members were also accompanying the group.
Hundreds of people remained missing in the border region on Thursday, a day after the disaster, including many foreign nationals. Nepalese authorities initially reported around 160 deaths, while China reported three.
The full scale of the disaster remained unclear and the death toll was expected to rise.