Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares confirmed on 27 August that four Spanish nationals were missing after a severe flash flood in northern Nepal. There were so far no reports of Spanish fatalities, Albares said. The Foreign Ministry asked travellers, relatives and contacts to get in touch through the consular emergency channels if they had any information. The Embassy in New Delhi and the Honorary Consulate in Nepal are in constant contact with the local authorities and emergency services, according to him.
According to Nepalese reports, the flood occurred on 26 and 27 August in the catchment area of the Bhotekoshi near the border with Tibet. Authorities report extensive destruction along the river; roads, bridges and utility lines were damaged or disrupted, hampering the search for missing people. Preliminary figures cited more than 160 deaths and hundreds missing. These figures may change as rescue and recovery work continues.
There are differing counts of the missing Spaniards: while Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists four people who cannot be contacted, Nepalese authorities at one point spoke of three missing Spaniards. No final confirmation has been made. The ministry stresses that, in disaster zones, identification and situational reports tend to fluctuate, especially when communications are disrupted.
For Spain is currently focused on locating the missing people and supporting their relatives. Alongside the embassy in New Delhi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid is coordinating consular assistance and remaining in contact with European partner missions on the ground. The authorities advise against travel to affected areas; registered travellers will be informed of developments through the usual channels.
Background: The Bhotekoshi is a mountain river whose steep gradient makes floods and mudflows more likely during heavy rain or seismic activity. Emergency shelters have been set up in the affected districts; international aid organisations are supporting rescue teams. Details of the cause, scale of the damage and any possible responsibility have yet to be established and are being investigated by the Nepalese authorities.
It is not yet known whether or when the four missing Spaniards will be found. Spanish and Nepalese officials expect the number of confirmed victims to become clear only after search and identification work has been completed.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).