KATHMANDU: As many as 484 tourists—391 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens—remain unaccounted for after a major flash flood swept through the Bhotekoshi River corridor in Rasuwa and Nuwakot on Wednesday morning.

The government said 95 bodies had been recovered from the flood-affected areas by 7:00 pm, although the identities of the deceased had not yet been established. Search and rescue operations are continuing.

The latest figure is higher than the 384 tourists and travellers reported missing by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in its second situation update earlier Wednesday. The NTB had then listed 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens as missing.

The government said 85 security personnel were also unaccounted for, including 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel. Another 60 employees working at various hydropower projects have been reported missing.

The Bhotekoshi flood occurred at around 8:40 am, sweeping through areas including Timure, Syabrubesi and along the downstream Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors.

The NTB has been coordinating with Tourist Police, travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies to verify the whereabouts and safety of tourists and travellers.

In its earlier update, the NTB said the missing travellers were associated with nine travel agencies. Trekkers Society had reported 92 travellers, including 77 foreign nationals and 15 Nepalis, while Samrat Tours & Travels had 71, including 59 Indians and 12 Nepalis.

Other agencies reporting missing travellers included Leaf Holiday, Himalayan Glacier, Kailash Journey, Fishtail Tours & Travels, Alpine Eco Trek, Kathmandu Holiday Tours & Travels, Richa Tours & Travels and Explore Vacation.

The disaster has also affected major tourism and transport corridors. Authorities have placed areas along the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli corridor on high alert and advised residents and visitors to move to safer locations and stay away from rivers, riverbanks, bridges and low-lying areas.

A bus carrying pilgrims travelling from Palungtar in Gorkha to Gosainkunda has also gone out of contact. Police said 34 of its 38 passengers remain unaccounted for, while four escaped and made contact with authorities.

The Gosainkunda pilgrimage and trekking area, located at about 4,380 metres, has drawn particular concern as large numbers of visitors are in the region for the annual Janai Purnima pilgrimage. The Himalayan Rescue Association Nepal has deployed a medical team to its temporary health camp at Gosainkunda. Similarly, Seventy-seven members of an Isha Foundation Kailash group are missing after flash floods hit the Tibet-Nepal region. The group was at the Gyirong immigration centre when the flood struck, and the Foundation said it is coordinating with authorities on rescue efforts.

The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, along with local residents, have been mobilised for search and rescue. Fourteen helicopters—six operated by the Nepal Army and eight privately operated—are involved in rescue, relief and medical evacuation, while drones and trained sniffer dogs are also being used.

The government said the flood damaged 19 motorable bridges and around 40 km of paved roads, while employees of the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office and Immigration Office are also reported to be out of contact.

The NTB has urged tourists to rely on verified information from government agencies, security authorities, Tourist Police and travel companies and to postpone travel to affected areas until authorities confirm that conditions are safe.

Emergency assistance is available through 1234, 1144 and Tourist Police at 9851289445.