A devastating flash flood along the Nepal-Tibet border has killed more than 150 people and left hundreds of pilgrims and tourists missing. The disaster struck on Wednesday in a broad area popular with religious visitors and travellers. Initial reports said more than 500 tourists were missing in Nepal, though authorities warned the number could rise as the full scale of the disaster becomes clearer.

The missing list includes more than 100 Indians, 54 Americans, 33 British nationals and more than 100 Nepali citizens. Chinese state media reported at least three deaths and 265 missing people in Tibet. Nepal Police said 33 British citizens could not be traced, while a Nepal tourism board reported 24 missing Canadians. Ukraine’s foreign ministry said 53 Ukrainian citizens were missing, with no information yet indicating deaths or injuries among them.

Australia said several of its citizens had been in the affected area and officials were working with local authorities and tour operators. Seventeen Malaysian tourists went missing while trekking in Rasuwa district, and eight South Korean engineers and workers at a damaged hydropower project were also missing. Two Italian citizens and their guide were stranded in an isolated area as rescue efforts continued.