A gargantuan wall of water has enveloped a heavily trafficked area of Nepal, killing at least 31 people. Hundreds of others remain missing in remote villages, sparking severe fears that the death toll could skyrocket.
Catastrophic Tsunami-Like Wave Caught on Camera
Video footage showing the devastation wrought on the Nepal–China border reveals people running for their lives as a tidal wave crashes down. The tsunami-like wave was triggered by an earthquake that caused a massive landslide, blocking a vital river and overwhelming local villages.
Rescue operations have faced extreme hurdles. Helicopters were trying to land in areas to assist people, but the water was too high, so they had to fly away, according to reports.
Cross-Border Impact and International Response
According to CNN, a mudslide also hit Tibet in China, approximately 400 miles away from Nepal. Chinese media warned of major casualties at the Gyirong port, prompting China‘s President Xi Jinping to request an all-out search for survivors.
Terrifying footage captured a construction crew near a raging river as the fast-moving wave approached. Onlookers screamed for safety as the workers fled, and the surging water soon engulfed their heavy equipment.
The U.S. Embassy in Nepal issued a formal statement. We were deeply saddened by the loss of life in the country’s Rasuwa district, the embassy noted, while urging U.S. citizens to steer clear of riverbanks and seek higher ground.
