Death toll reaches 797 following glacier collapse in the Himalayas

Specialized search-and-rescue teams are participating in recovery operations in Nepal and China as floodwaters and severe weather hinder search efforts. At least 797 people have been confirmed dead and 3,048 others are reported missing after a glacier collapsed in the Himalayas, resulting in water and debris flowing through several villages. Nepal's updated death toll stands at 781, with 2,502 individuals missing, including 592 foreign nationals. In China, state broadcaster CCTV reported 16 deaths and 546 people missing, which includes 261 foreigners. The incident occurred on Wednesday when a section of a glacier at an altitude of approximately 5,200 meters (17,000 feet) collapsed, falling around 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) and collecting rock and debris before impacting the Lende River. Rescue operations have faced multiple suspensions since Friday due to adverse weather conditions and concerns over additional flooding. The disaster has created a lake straddling the border between Nepal and China, which is now overflowing into Nepal’s Lhende and Trishuli Rivers. More than 100 workers are believed to be trapped within several hydropower tunnels. Authorities in Nepal began conducting burials for some victims on Sunday after collecting DNA samples for future identification. Many bodies were swept away by the floodwaters, complicating the identification process for families. Mass burials for hundreds of unidentified victims are occurring in Nepal’s Chitwan district, known for its forests and rivers. The Red Cross estimates that approximately 90,000 people in Nepal are affected by the disaster. Specialized teams from India, China, and South Korea have joined the search-and-rescue efforts. Malaysia is also sending its Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance Search and Rescue Team (SMART) and has pledged $1 million in recovery assistance. International aid has started to arrive, with the European Union promising $2.3 million on Friday. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has allocated over $1 million and initiated an emergency appeal for $31 million.