UAE expresses solidarity with Nepal, conveys condolences over victims of floods

The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal over the victims of floods and landslides, which resulted in dozens of deaths, injuries, and missing people, as well as significant damage.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) conveyed the UAE’s sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and its people over this tragedy, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

Massive flash floods in a border area of Nepal  and China on Wednesday killed at least 98 people and left hundreds of tourists, workers and others missing after sweeping through communities and bringing travel in some areas to a halt.

The prime minister's office in Nepal reported at least 95 dead.

China's state broadcaster CCTV said a mudslide in the Tibet region's Gyirong County near the border killed at least three and left 265 missing.

Drone footage showed roads destroyed and buildings buried. State news agency Xinhua reported significant casualties.

Nepal's steep valleys are economic lifelines and travel corridors but precarious ones when disaster strikes.

Images showed what appeared to be the second floors of buildings in hard-hit Nuwakot district slathered in mud after the torrent rushed by.

Debris hung from tree branches and wires, vehicles were buried and stunned survivors were caked in mud.

Officials in Nepal said 403 people, including 341 foreign nationals, were reported missing. Sunil Sharma, a tourism board spokesperson, said 133 were from India on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus.

Also missing were 47 from the United States, 34 from Australia, 33 from Britain and 24 from Canada, he said.

WAM / AP