At Least 8 Russians Missing in Nepal Following Deadly Himalayan Flood

Aug. 27, 2026 A security officer and his sniffer dog search for survivors following devastating floods in Nepal. REUTERS / Navesh Chitrakar At least eight Russians are missing in Nepal after a catastrophic and deadly torrent of floods and mud swept through the border region with China, Russia’s Embassy in Kathmandu said Thursday. In a statement, the embassy said it is coordinating with Nepalese authorities to establish the location of the missing Russians as search operations continue across the devastated valley. Two Russian women survived the disaster by escaping up a mountain slope, embassy officials added, noting both survivors later contacted diplomatic personnel while awaiting transit clearance at a Nepalese-Chinese border checkpoint. The disaster struck Wednesday when a massive collapse of rock and ice unleashed a wall of mud and water down a Himalayan river. Local authorities estimate nearly 1,500 people remain missing, including around 800 foreign tourists. Nepalese police warned the death toll is expected to surpass 165, while Chinese authorities reported three fatalities on their side of the border. Scientists at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said an ice-and-rock avalanche originating in a high-altitude area likely blocked a tributary river before giving way and triggering the cascading flood. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the disaster generated a seismic event equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 glacier collapse, sending a massive flow of debris downstream. Reuters contributed reporting. Read more about: Nepal , Natural disasters Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake Shakes Kamchatka Peninsula The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of possible hazardous waves along coastlines but later said the threat had passed. 1 Min read Afghanistan Appealed to Moscow for Help After Deadly Earthquake, Russian Official Says The 6.0-magnitude quake struck eastern Afghanistan just before midnight on Sunday, killing around 800 people in the remote Kunar province. 2 Min read Emergency Authorities Acknowledge 15 Deaths Nearly a Year After Devastating Orenburg Floods At the time of last spring’s catastrophic flooding, authorities denied anyone had died despite media reporting that multiple bodies were found. 1 Min read Nepal Detains 12 for Illegal Recruitment of Citizens Into Russian Army The detained individuals had allegedly procured documents and arranged visas to send people to Russia via India and the United Arab Emirates. 1 Min read