At least 34 Australians are missing after a landslide-triggered flash flood devastated communities near the Nepal–Tibet border, with hundreds of people feared unaccounted for overall. The disaster is significant because rescue teams are still searching in a remote Himalayan area, the confirmed death toll has reached 160 and authorities expect it to rise.

Fifteen of the missing Australians were on a 14-day pilgrimage tour from Kathmandu to Mount Kailash; the group includes boys aged 11 and 14, and its operator lost contact with leaders on Wednesday morning. Nepal’s Prime Minister’s office said 579 people were unaccounted for, including 466 foreign nationals from 28 countries, while Australian officials and tour operators are working to confirm travellers’ welfare.