Lai offers condolences over deadly Nepal-Tibet floods

Taipei, Aug. 28 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Friday offered his condolences to those affected by deadly floods and mudslides along the Nepal-Tibet border and expressed hope that recovery efforts would proceed safely and swiftly.

Flash floods and landslides struck the Himalayan border region between Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday after a glacier collapse sent ice, rock and debris into river valleys, causing widespread destruction.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by devastating floods and mudslides on the Tibet-Nepal border," Lai wrote in an English-language post on X.

"I extend my sincerest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and hope that recovery proceeds safely and swiftly," he said.

The disaster was initially suspected to have been caused by an earthquake after the collapse generated seismic activity, but subsequent assessments indicated that a glacier and rock collapse triggered the flooding.

As of Friday, more than 470 people had been confirmed dead across Nepal and Tibet, while over 1,500 remained missing as rescue operations continued, according to international media reports.