Officials say 24 Canadians missing after flash floods in Nepal and China

Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government is closely following the situation in Nepal and China after 24 Canadians were reported missing in flash flooding in the region.

Officials in Nepal said Wednesday that 24 people from Canada were among those missing in the flash floods in a border area of Nepal and China.

At least 98 people are dead and hundreds of tourists, workers and others are unaccounted for.

Carney said all Canadians in the region should sign up for Registration of Canadians Abroad, a free service that lets the federal government contact and assist citizens during an emergency in other countries.

“The flash floods along Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River are absolutely devastating,” Carney said Wednesday on social media.

“Canadians are thinking of all those in distress right now, those who have lost a loved one, and all those who are still waiting for answers.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Global Affairs Canada consular officials are in contact with local authorities and ready to assist Canadians in the region.

“We are monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide assistance as appropriate,” she said.

The Nepalese Canadian Community Services said its members are “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and widespread devastation.”

“At this difficult and painful time, out thoughts, prayers and solidarity are with our homeland and with all those who have been affected by this tragedy,” the group said in a statement on social media.

The office of the Nepali prime minister reported at least 95 dead. China’s state broadcaster CCTV said a mudslide near the border killed at least three and 265 are missing.

Sunil Sharma, a tourism board spokesperson, said 133 were from India on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus. Also missing are 47 from the United States, 34 from Australia and 33 from Britain.

Officials warned residents in several districts to stay away from the banks of the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers. The Bhotekoshi flooded Wednesday morning, destroying several villages, roads and hydropower projects, officials said.

“We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts,” said government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 4.4 earthquake early Wednesday, about 100 kilometres north of Kathmandu, near the border with China’s autonomous region of Tibet.

South Korean government officials said nine citizens working on building a hydropower plant in Nepal are among the missing.

Malaysia’s foreign ministry said its embassy received reports from travel agencies that they had lost contact with 11 Malaysians believed to be in Rasuwa district.

Russia’s embassy in Nepal said four citizens reportedly in the affected area are missing.

Climate experts at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said an avalanche from a glacier likely caused the flash flood.

— With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2026.