Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Nepal-Tibet Glacial Floods Kill 939 as Rescues Enter Day Six
A huge flood of water, rocks and mud struck Nepal and Tibet.
It began after part of a glacier collapsed near the China-Nepal border.
At least 939 people have died, and nearly 4,500 people are missing.
Rescue workers are searching villages, rivers and tunnels for survivors.
About 100 hydropower workers may be trapped underground in Nepal.
Nepal has sent thousands of rescuers and saved more than 3,100 people.
Roads, bridges and power plants were badly damaged, making the work harder.
Some unidentified bodies are being buried after DNA samples are collected.
Scientists say warmer temperatures can make glacier-related disasters more likely.
Glacial floods near the China-Nepal border have killed at least 939 people, with nearly 4,500 still missing.
Around 100 hydropower workers may be trapped in tunnels in Nepal’s Rasuwa district; three bodies have been recovered.
Nepal has deployed about 20,600 personnel, rescued more than 3,100 people, and appealed for over 1,000 freezer units.
China reported 16 deaths and 546 missing in Tibet, while Tibetan advocacy groups questioned the figures.
The US Geological Survey attributed the disaster to glacial collapse, while scientists warned that rising temperatures are increasing Himalayan risks.
- Who
- Residents, hydropower workers, trekkers, pilgrims and rescue personnel in Nepal and Tibet were affected.
- What
- Glacial floods killed at least 939 people and left nearly 4,500 missing, while rescue operations continued.
- When
- The floods began on Wednesday, and rescue efforts were in their sixth day on Monday, September 1, 2026.
- Where
- The disaster affected Nepal and Tibet near the China-Nepal border; at least 17 bodies were also recovered downstream in India.
- Why
- A glacial collapse triggered the surge of water, rocks and debris; scientists also linked rising temperatures to greater Himalayan glacial risks.
Critics of China’s Casualty Figures
China’s Official Position
Transparency of disaster reporting
Critics of China’s Casualty Figures
Tibetan advocacy groups questioned China’s reported figures and called for complete, verifiable information about casualties and damage.
China’s Official Position
Beijing rejected claims that it was underreporting deaths, saying information had been released openly, transparently and in a timely manner.
- Reported death toll
- At least 939 people in Nepal and Tibet
- Missing people
- Nearly 4,500 overall
- Trapped workers
- Around 100 hydropower workers are believed trapped in tunnels in Rasuwa district
- Nepal response
- About 20,600 personnel deployed and more than 3,100 people rescued
- Tibet figures
- China reported 16 deaths and 546 missing people
- Downstream recovery
- At least 17 bodies were recovered from rivers in India
- Foreign nationals missing
- Nepal listed 592 foreigners among the missing, including trekkers and Mount Kailash pilgrims
- Body-storage needs
- Nepal appealed for more than 1,000 freezer units
