'Ran for our lives': Tales of survival from Nepal-China disaster
Summary
Survivors of deadly floods on the Nepal-China border described being engulfed by a sudden surge of water and debris, with vehicles swept away and rescue efforts still underway. More than 1,400 people were missing and over 550 were reported dead as helicopters plucked survivors from ravaged valleys.
Key Points
- Survivors on a bus heading toward the Chinese border described a sudden wall of fog, smoke and debris that swept away vehicles around them.
- Workers at dam and hydropower sites along the Trishuli valley said the flood struck in seconds and caused massive destruction.
- Some survivors escaped by climbing hills or sheltering in tunnels before being rescued by helicopter after more than 24 to 48 hours.
- The disaster left more than 1,400 people missing, many of them foreign tourists, and over 550 dead.
