There are 34 Australians unaccounted for after flash floods tore through Nepal’s border region with Tibet, killing at least 160 people and leaving hundreds missing.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the figure on Thursday morning, as Australian officials worked to establish the welfare of people believed to be caught in the disaster zone.
“Nepal is a developing country — it doesn’t have the resources that an event like that would have in Australia. So information is difficult,” the Prime Minister told News Corp’s Bush Summit in Dubbo, NSW.
“Our thoughts are with all those who will be concerned about their loved ones today.”
Albanese extended his “deepest sympathies to those affected by the significant flooding in Nepal and Tibet, China”, in an earlier statement.
We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the significant flooding in Nepal and Tibet, China.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) August 26, 2026
Australians in the affected area should follow the advice of local authorities.
We are aware of a number of Australians in the area and officials are urgently working to…
The flooding hit areas near the Nepal-China border on Wednesday. Nepal’s tourism ministry says 403 tourists remain unaccounted for, including 341 foreign nationals. Its figures include 34 Australians, along with travellers from the US, the UK, Canada and India.
At least one missing Australian was travelling with Kathmandu Holiday Tours + Travel, according to the tourism board.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the federal government was trying to contact Australians in the area.
“The loss of life and destruction caused by flash flooding in Nepal and China is devastating. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those killed or missing and all affected by this disaster,” said Wong.
“DFAT officials are urgently working to confirm the welfare of Australians in the area.”
The loss of life and destruction caused by flash flooding in Nepal and China is devastating. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those killed or missing and all affected by this disaster. @DFAT officials are urgently working to confirm the welfare of Australians in the area.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) August 26, 2026
DFAT says it is liaising with local authorities and tour operators. In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We are aware of a number of Australians in the area and Australian officials are urgently working to confirm their welfare. We are liaising with local authorities as well as tour operators.”
The disaster has caused major damage across Nepal’s Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, where rescuers have been searching through mud and flood debris. Nepal Police said it had recovered 157 bodies and was moving families in high-risk areas to safer locations.
David Fisher, the Nepal head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said “entire villages and market areas have been wiped out”, per the ABC.
For people in Australia with family in Nepal, getting a clear picture of what has happened is proving difficult. Former Victorian honorary consul of Nepal, Nirajan Gauli, told the ABC that internet and electricity outages had cut off communication in affected areas.
“The same family is separated on two sides of the river because of the flooding and they are not even able to connect,” he said.
“There are around 21 bridges, whatever connected [the banks] was washed away.”
Authorities have warned there may be a risk of more flooding, with a blockage remaining upstream on a river along the Nepal-China border.
Lead image: Getty
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