Devastating flash floods in Nepal have killed at least eight people and left hundreds of tourists and trekkers, including 12 Britons, unaccounted for after buildings, bridges and roads were swept away in the Himalayan nation. The disaster, which struck areas near the border with Tibet, has prompted a major rescue operation involving military helicopters, though high water levels are currently preventing aircraft from landing in the worst-affected districts.

Officials say 384 tourists and trekkers remain unaccounted for, comprising 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens, with those missing including 105 Indians, 17 Malaysians and smaller numbers from South Africa, the US, Australia and the Netherlands. Nepal's foreign minister said an earthquake-triggered avalanche may have caused the flooding on the Bhote Koshi river, echoing a similar deadly flood on the same river last year caused by a draining glacier lake. Across the border in Tibet, a mudslide has also caused "major casualties" and cut power and communications, while Nepal's energy ministry reported over 12% of national hydropower capacity was affected; Prime Minister Balendra Shah has ordered residents near rivers to move to higher ground.