Hundreds of foreign tourists are reported missing after devastating flooding in Nepal struck an area popular with international travellers. The Nepal Tourism Board said on Thursday that 590 tourists were out of contact, including 476 foreign nationals and 114 Nepalis, according to figures reported by the Kathmandu Post. They include visitors from the United States, Australia, the UK, Germany and the numbers are rising.
The disaster has particularly affected Rasuwa and neighbouring Nuwakot, north of Kathmandu and close to Nepal's border with Tibet. Nepal has long been one of Asia's most popular destinations for backpackers, hikers and adventure travellers, attracted by its dramatic Himalayan landscape, relatively affordable travel and combination of mountain trekking, historic cities and Buddhist and Hindu culture. The country is home to eight of the world's 10 highest mountains, including Mount Everest, and official figures show 1.16 million international tourists visited Nepal in 2025, including more than 165,000 who went trekking.
European governments and other foreign embassies are advising travellers to follow instructions from Nepalese authorities and closely monitor local conditions. The embassies of Finland, France and the UK, together with Australia, Norway and Switzerland and the EU Delegation in Nepal, issued a joint statement urging people in affected areas to "follow the guidance of local authorities and official safety advisories as the situation continues to evolve". France warns that due to flooding and landslides telephone networks and internet connections can be cut for several days.
Travellers are advised to check with local authorities before making journeys and to follow their instructions. The Netherlands advises people caught in flooding to move to higher ground, avoid bridges and not attempt to walk or swim through floodwater. Travellers should be prepared to evacuate and keep passports, medication and other essential belongings together in a waterproof bag.
Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology provides weather and flood information through the toll-free number 1155, with callers able to select weather forecasts or early flood warnings. Flood and extreme weather information: 1155 The Tourist Police service is particularly useful for foreign visitors and has officers with English-language skills. EU citizens requiring consular help should first contact their own country's embassy, consulate or foreign ministry.
Not every EU country has an embassy in Nepal but under EU consular protection rules, an EU citizen whose own country is not represented can seek assistance from the embassy or consulate of another EU member state. Belgium's foreign ministry, for example, identifies Germany, Finland and France as EU countries with embassies in Kathmandu. Some useful European emergency contacts include: France: French nationals in Nepal can contact the French Embassy in Kathmandu on +977 980 101 7201.
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