Russian tourists rescued after deadly Nepal-China border mudslide

Footage shows rescue workers using a helicopter to winch tourists and other stranded people to safety on Wednesday, August 26. One of the tourists, Ekaterina, said she and others had taken shelter with local residents as heavy rain continued. Speaking from Kathmandu on Friday, August 28, she and fellow tourist Irina recalled how vehicles were swept into the water and how their guide found them a makeshift shelter. Irina said around 150 people were later evacuated in groups, with women and children moved first, followed by foreign nationals and then local men.

Preliminary reports said the disaster was caused by a partial glacier collapse, triggering a large ice and rock avalanche. At the time of publication, Nepalese authorities reported 567 deaths and nearly 2,000 people missing, while five deaths had been confirmed in Tibet, with 558 people listed as missing. Citizens from more than 20 countries are among those unaccounted for, including eight Russians whose whereabouts were unknown, according to the Russian Embassy in Nepal. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to those affected.