Australian officials ‘working around the clock’ to check welfare of tourists missing in Nepal

Powerful floods in Himalayan border area sweep away houses, roads and bridges

Dozens of Australian tourists are reportedly missing in the deadly flash floods that swept through the Nepal-Tibet border, as the Australian government says it is urgently working to confirm their welfare.

The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said on Thursday morning there were 34 Australians missing.

According to the Nepal Tourist Board, as reported by Press Association, at least 403 people have been reported missing, with 341 foreign nationals unaccounted for.

According to the tourist board, 203 of the missing are male and 200 female.

Also among the missing were 47 people from the US, 34 from Australia, 33 from the UK and 24 from Canada, according to the board’s figures.

They include one Australian who was travelling with Kathmandu Holiday Tours and Travel.

Albanese said getting information from Nepal was “difficult” and “our thoughts are with all those who will be concerned about their loved ones today”.

He said the government was liaising with local authorities and tour operators to confirm the welfare of Australians in Nepal.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the significant flooding in Nepal and Tibet, China,” he said in a statement.

Nepal’s embassy in Canberra has requested urgent assistance from the Australian government in response to the floods.

“We are reaching out to the Australian government and hopefully they will provide assistance to us. We are in communication with them,” said the embassy’s second secretary, Saroj Paneru.

Paneru said the government would be seeking financial assistance, but also technical support as it searches for missing people.

Australians in the region have been urged to follow the advice of local authorities.