Hundreds of vacationers amongst victims in Nepal as Europe points journey recommendation

Hundreds of international vacationers are reported lacking after devastating flooding in Nepal struck an space standard with worldwide travellers.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Nepal Tourism Board stated on Thursday that 644 vacationers had been out of contact, together with 517 international nationals. They embody guests from 19 European nations in addition to China, the United States and Australia.

Eight German nationals are amongst these reported lacking, in response to trekking companies cited by Nepal Tourist Police chief Bishow Raj Adhikari, though Germany’s Foreign Office stated it had no affirmation that any German residents had been affected. Portugal’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that two Portuguese nationals, a person and a lady, have been reported lacking following the catastrophe.

Nepali officers are urging travellers to tell the closest police or safety authority, native administration, journey company, information or tour operator of their location and in an announcement stated “please remain calm, stay informed and follow official safety instructions”.

The catastrophe has notably affected Rasuwa and neighbouring Nuwakot, north of Kathmandu and near Nepal’s border with Tibet.

Nepal has lengthy been one among Asia’s hottest locations for backpackers, hikers and journey travellers, attracted by its dramatic Himalayan panorama, comparatively inexpensive journey and mixture of mountain trekking, historic cities and Buddhist and Hindu tradition.

The nation is residence to eight of the world’s 10 highest mountains, together with Mount Everest, and official figures present 1.16 million worldwide vacationers visited Nepal in 2025, together with greater than 165,000 who went trekking.

What ought to travellers in Nepal do?

European governments and different international embassies are advising travellers to observe directions from Nepalese authorities and carefully monitor native situations.

The embassies of Finland, France and the UK, along with Australia, Norway and Switzerland and the EU Delegation in Nepal, issued a joint assertion urging individuals in affected areas to “follow the guidance of local authorities and official safety advisories as the situation continues to evolve”.

France warns that resulting from flooding and landslides phone networks and web connections will be reduce for a number of days. Travellers are suggested to verify with native authorities earlier than making journeys and to observe their directions.

The Netherlands advises individuals caught in flooding to maneuver to larger floor, keep away from bridges and never try to stroll or swim by floodwater. Travellers must be ready to evacuate and maintain passports, treatment and different important belongings collectively in a water-proof bag.

Foreign travellers also needs to:

• Avoid flood and landslide-affected areas and don’t journey merely to look at the harm.
• Stay away from rivers, riverbanks, bridges, unstable slopes and broken buildings.
• Check native climate, flood warnings and highway situations earlier than travelling.
• Contact their tour operator, trekking firm, information or lodging supplier earlier than trying to vary location.
• Keep relations or mates knowledgeable of their location and situation, ideally by textual content or on-line if phone networks are congested.
• Keep telephones charged and passports, treatment and important paperwork readily accessible.
• Contact their journey insurer as quickly as doable if their journey has been disrupted or they require medical remedy, evacuation or repatriation.

Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology supplies climate and flood data by the toll-free quantity 1155, with callers capable of choose climate forecasts or early flood warnings.

Nepal emergency numbers

Police: 100

Fire: 101

Ambulance: 102

Tourist Police: 1144

Flood and excessive climate data: 1155

The Tourist Police service is especially helpful for international guests and has officers with English-language expertise.

Help for EU nationals

EU residents requiring consular assist ought to first contact their very own nation’s embassy, consulate or international ministry.

Not each EU nation has an embassy in Nepal however underneath EU consular safety guidelines, an EU citizen whose personal nation is just not represented can search help from the embassy or consulate of one other EU member state. Belgium’s international ministry, for instance, identifies Germany, Finland and France as EU nations with embassies in Kathmandu.

Some helpful European emergency contacts embody:

France: French nationals in Nepal can contact the French Embassy in Kathmandu on +977 980 101 7201. France is asking its residents to observe local-authority directions and, the place doable, inform relations that they’re secure.

Italy: Italian nationals requiring emergency help can contact the Italian Foreign Ministry Crisis Unit on +39 06 36225, the Italian Consulate General in Kolkata on +91 9831212216, or the Honorary Consulate General in Kathmandu on +977 1 4538388 / +977 1 4529089. Italy can also be asking nationals within the space to register by its Dove siamo nel mondo service or Viaggiare Sicuri app.

Spain: Spanish nationals requiring pressing consular help can name +91 98101 74160. Spain advises its residents in Nepal to observe directions from native authorities and monitor updates from its embassy.

Belgium: Belgians can contact the Honorary Consulate in Kathmandu on +977 985 10 32 785 for emergencies. The Belgian Embassy in New Delhi, which is liable for Nepal, has an out-of-hours emergency variety of +91 98101 17931.

Travellers from different EU nations ought to verify their nationwide international ministry’s newest Nepal recommendation for the suitable emergency consular quantity.