Death toll in deadly Nepal flash floods rises to 22, hundreds of tourists missing

Massive flash floods in Nepal today killed at least 22 people and left hundreds of tourists, workers and others missing while causing widespread damage to villages and infrastructure.

Dozens of multistory buildings, trucks and vans were buried under vast quantities of mud in the district of Nuwakot, one of the worst-affected areas. Officials warn residents in several of Nepal’s districts and ask them to stay away from the banks of the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers.

Officials say 384 tourists, including 291 from countries such as India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Malaysia, have been reported missing.

Nepal tourism board officials say most of the missing are likely tourists from India and the Indian diaspora on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in the Chinese autonomous region of Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus.

There have been no reports so far of any missing Israeli tourists and the Foreign Ministry has not commented.