Six South Africans missing in Nepal floods as death toll rises

Nepal's tourism board confirmed on Thursday, August 27, 2026, that the death toll on both sides of the Nepal-Tibet border has surpassed 165. Hundreds of tourists, including nationals from South Africa, Australia, Britain, India, Malaysia, Portugal, South Korea, and the United States, are unaccounted for, with 517 foreigners and 127 Nepalese reported missing. Entire villages were swept away, and trekking routes were cut off.

Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers, stated that his team was contacted by the daughter of a missing South African couple. He noted that a second South African couple and other international tourists are also missing, and thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed. Sooliman explained that helicopter surveillance is the only means of access due to destroyed roads and high water levels, posing a risk of dam collapse.

Gift of the Givers has eleven urban search-and-rescue specialists, four Saps dog handlers, and four dogs on standby, awaiting a formal call for international assistance from Nepalese authorities. Ahmed Bham, head of search and rescue, is coordinating with Nepalese Disaster Management officials for potential deployment from Kathmandu.