90 Americans missing near Nepal-China border after devastating floods
Synopsis
Roughly 90 US citizens are unaccounted for in the remote Nepal-China border region after catastrophic floods cut off mountain communities — a crisis prompting Washington to deploy disaster advisers, increase embassy staffing, and pledge $500,000 in aid. Five Americans have reached safety; no deaths have been confirmed, but officials warn that the region's extreme remoteness could slow the search significantly.
Key Takeaways
The US State Department confirmed approximately 90 Americans are unaccounted for near the Nepal-China border as of 28 August .
Five US citizens have reached safety in Nepal; no American deaths have been reported.
Washington has pledged $500,000 in humanitarian aid through Catholic Relief Services for flood-affected communities.
Disaster response advisers have been deployed and consular staffing at the US Embassy in Kathmandu has been increased.
Affected Americans in Nepal should email the Kathmandu embassy; those in China should contact the US Embassy in Beijing when safe.
Emergency hotline for US and Canada: 1-888-407-4747 ; international: 1-202-501-4444 .
The United States State Department confirmed on Friday, 28 August that approximately 90 American citizens remain unaccounted for in the Nepal-China border region after catastrophic floods severed access to remote mountain communities. Five US nationals have reached safety in Nepal, and no American deaths have been reported as of the latest update.
What the State Department Said
A State Department spokesperson confirmed the figures as of 6:00 am EST on 28 August, stating that embassies in both Kathmandu and Beijing are working alongside local authorities and tour operators to locate and assist affected citizens. 'The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans,' the spokesperson said.
Officials cautioned that confirming individual cases could take time. 'The remoteness and limited accessibility of the devastated region and other factors may affect how quickly information can be confirmed and shared,' the spokesperson noted.
Search and Rescue Operations
Nepal-led search and rescue operations are ongoing. The US has offered to support these efforts in coordination with the Government of Nepal, should such assistance be formally requested. Disaster response advisers have been deployed to the region to support relief efforts, and consular staffing at the US Embassy in Kathmandu has been increased, with round-the-clock support now in place.
US Aid and Emergency Assistance
Washington has committed $500,000 in humanitarian assistance, channelled through its global partnership with Catholic Relief Services. The funds are earmarked for emergency shelter, food, water, sanitation, and hygiene support for flood-affected communities in Nepal.
Guidance for Americans in the Region
US citizens in affected areas, including Rasuwa district in Nepal and Gyirong County and Gyirong Port on the Chinese side of the border, have been urged to monitor local news, follow emergency instructions, and enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP). Those in Nepal have been asked to email the US Embassy in Kathmandu with their full name, present location, status, and tour or trekking company details. Those in China should contact the US Embassy in Beijing when it is safe to do so.
The State Department has also released emergency hotlines: US and Canada residents may call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free; those calling from other countries may dial 1-202-501-4444. For Americans in China, the contact number from within China is 010-8531 4000, or 011-86-10-8531 4000 from the United States.
Rasuwa is a mountainous district north of Kathmandu along Nepal's border with China, known for its difficult terrain and limited road access — conditions that routinely complicate rescue operations following floods and landslides. Gyirong, on the Chinese side, is a key land crossing used by residents, traders, tourists, and trekking groups. As rescue teams press deeper into the region, the full scale of the disaster is yet to be determined.
Point of View
Leaving embassies dependent on tour operators for basic headcounts. The $500,000 aid pledge is modest relative to the scale of a cross-border flood disaster spanning two countries and some of the world's most inaccessible terrain. What this episode also reveals is the logistical gap in bilateral coordination — search and rescue operations are Nepal-led, and Washington's offer of assistance remains conditional on a formal request, a diplomatic formality that can cost critical hours in a disaster of this nature.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Americans are missing near the Nepal-China border?
The US State Department confirmed that approximately 90 Americans are unaccounted for in the Nepal-China border region as of 6:00 am EST on 28 August. Five US citizens have reached safety in Nepal, and no American deaths have been reported.
What caused Americans to go missing in the Nepal-China border region?
Devastating floods cut off remote mountain communities along the Nepal-China border, severing access to areas including Rasuwa district in Nepal and Gyirong County in China. The region is frequented by tourists, trekkers, traders, and residents, making it difficult to account for those caught in the disaster.
What is the US doing to help Americans missing in Nepal and China?
The US has deployed disaster response advisers to the region, increased consular staffing at the Embassy in Kathmandu, and offered search and rescue support to Nepal. Washington has also pledged $500,000 in humanitarian aid through Catholic Relief Services for flood-affected communities.
How can families reach out about missing Americans in the region?
Families in the US and Canada can call the toll-free number 1-888-407-4747, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. For relatives in China, the contact number from within China is 010-8531 4000, or 011-86-10-8531 4000 from the United States.
What should US citizens in the affected Nepal-China border areas do?
US citizens in Nepal's Rasuwa district should email the US Embassy in Kathmandu with their full name, location, status, and tour company details. Those in Gyirong County or Gyirong Port in China should contact the US Embassy in Beijing when it is safe, and all affected Americans are advised to enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP).
