Nepal ends search and rescue after the Aug 26 Tibet-Nepal flash floods catastrophe, 5,285 still missing

Nepal has brought to an end on Oct 5 its search and rescue operation for those still missing after the devastating flash floods of Aug 26 that killed at least 1,455 people as of Oct 3, switching the main focus on rehabilitating the survivors while continuing only essential search operations. Operations are also stated to be continuing in key locations, including tunnels.

Apart from the above figure of confirmed deaths, a total of 5,285 remain missing, including 636 foreigners.

On the Tibet side, China has stuck to its bald claim of just 43 deaths, with 519 people missing, including 261 foreigners.

Critics, Western agencies, and Tibetan advocacy groups have raised sharp questions over the wide discrepancy between the low number of reported casualties in Tibet compared to the devastating toll in downstream Nepal from the flash floods.

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