- At least 797 dead and nearly 3,000 people missing have been recorded following the severe flooding in Nepal.
- Among those being sought are four French nationals who had set out on trekking or spiritual trips in the mountains.
- Three of these nationals were booked with the same trekking agency and could be near the Gyirong border crossing.
- The Crisis and Support Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Embassy in Kathmandu have been mobilised.
Tragic Toll in Nepal After Violent Flooding
Nepal is facing the dramatic consequences of violent weather. Powerful floods and mudslides have ravaged several mountainous sectors, leaving behind a landscape of desolation. In the border region, the death toll continues to rise, with at least 797 deaths recorded by local authorities. Given the scale of the damage, rescue services have been deployed en masse: nearly 3,000 individuals remain actively sought across the country.
Four French Nationals Missing Among Weather Victims
Among those missing are four French nationals who had travelled to the region for mountain stays. The relatives of Betty Benredouane, a 47-year-old from Marseille who came for a spiritual journey, have expressed their deep concern while trying to maintain hope. Distress is also high for the family and friends of Kateryna Duzenko, a 38-year-old French-Ukrainian national who was about to complete a multi-day trek. Her entire hiking group and their guide have yet to show any sign of life.
Possible Location Near Chinese Border Crossing
Also read Inondations au Népal : un troisième rescapé sauvé dix jours après la catastrophe
The two other missing French nationals are a man born in 1980, Kapil Mahajan, and a woman whose family has requested anonymity. According to information provided by the Nepalese government, at least three of the four missing persons used the same specialised travel agency, Trekkers Society. The organisation has raised the possibility that this group was near the Chinese border crossing of Gyirong when the flash flood occurred, further complicating search efforts in this very difficult-to-access area.
French Diplomacy in Contact with Kathmandu and Families
In response to this critical situation, France immediately activated its emergency support systems. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs confirmed that the French Embassy in Kathmandu is in permanent contact with local authorities to support search operations. At the same time, officers from the Crisis and Support Centre remain in close liaison with the families of the missing to provide continuous support during this period of extreme uncertainty.
