As massive floods hit Nepal, it has been confirmed that a significant number of the missing are foreign nationals.
The regional characteristic—that the affected area is close to a sacred site visited by Hindu pilgrims and is a famous tourist destination crowded with trekkers from around the world—appears to have exacerbated the casualties among foreigners.
According to the Nepalese Ministry of Tourism, as of yesterday (the 26th), 468 tourists remain missing due to floods and landslides in the central-northern Bagmati Province.
Among the missing, 393 are foreign nationals.
In an earlier tally, the Nepalese Ministry of Tourism stated that at least 133 of the missing were Indian nationals who were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred Hindu site.
In addition, dozens of Americans, Australians, British, and Canadians are also missing.
Citing announcements by country on the status of the missing, CNN reported that alongside Indian, American, and Australian nationals, citizens from Western countries such as Italy and Portugal, as well as 9 South Koreans, are among the missing.
The Nepalese Ministry of Tourism stated that at least 62 Nepalese nationals are also missing while trekking near a lake in the Rasuwa region of Bagmati Province, coinciding with the traditional Nepalese festival of Janai Purnima on the coming 28th.
The Wall Street Journal explained, "Devastating floods in the high-altitude Himalayas swept through a village popular with Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims."
Around this time every year, hundreds of pilgrims gather around Mount Kailash, which is revered in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and the floods struck routes heavily used by pilgrims and tourists, compounding the damage.
Nepal is currently in its monsoon season, making it unsuitable for climbing, but the "Kailash Trek" along the route in the Rasuwa region is known to be in its peak season.
Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Lee Yu-jin | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
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