Trending 
Five Japanese nationals have been reported missing following Nepal’s devastating floods, which killed at least 95 people and left hundreds unaccounted for.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has appealed for information on the five missing Japanese nationals.
Takaichi said in a post on X on Wednesday that the Japanese Embassy in Nepal had been unable to contact the five nationals and had requested assistance in locating them.
“Local media has reported that 5 Japanese nationals are missing, which has me deeply concerned,” Takaichi said.
“The Japanese Embassy in Nepal has been unable to reach these 5 compatriots despite attempts to contact them and has requested assistance in the search,” she added.
Takaichi said she remained uncertain about the communication situation in the affected area.
“As of 3:30 a.m. Japan time, I still do not have a grasp of the local communication situation,” she said, appealing to anyone in the area who may have information about the missing Japanese nationals to contact the embassy.
“If anyone who sees this post on X in the area knows of their safety, please inform the Embassy of Japan in Nepal,” she said.
The Japanese prime minister also expressed concern for others affected by the disaster.
“I am concerned for the well-being of our compatriots, the Nepalese people, and all foreign nationals staying there,” she said.
“I pray earnestly that their irreplaceable lives will be protected,” Takaichi added.
The appeal comes as Nepal and China search for hundreds of people missing after catastrophic flash floods hit areas along their border on Wednesday.
The disaster has also affected foreign tourists and workers travelling or working in the region.
Nepal’s Rasuwa district is one of the worst-affected areas, where a sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River swept through communities, destroying homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.
The flooding also disrupted a major crossing into China and affected routes used by travellers heading towards Tibet and Mount Kailash.
Nepalese officials have said hundreds of people, including foreign nationals, are missing.
The Nepal Tourism Board initially reported 403 missing people, including 341 foreign nationals, although figures have continued to change as authorities verify reports.
The cause of the sudden flooding is still being assessed.
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake was recorded near the Nepal-China border early Wednesday, while experts have pointed to an avalanche, landslide or glacial collapse as a possible trigger for the surge.
Rescue operations have been complicated by damaged roads and bridges, high water levels and difficult mountainous terrain.
Helicopters have faced difficulties reaching some of the worst-hit areas, while authorities continue searching for missing people.
The disaster has prompted concern from several governments as authorities try to establish the whereabouts of their nationals.
South Korea, Malaysia, India, the United States, Britain and other countries have also reported missing or unaccounted-for citizens in the affected region.
