A violent flash flood at the border between Nepal and China tore through a checkpoint and left hundreds missing, including 291 foreigners who were identified by local authorities.

The mudslide struck at around 8:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, according to preliminary data released by the Nepal Tourism Board, with a total of 384 travelers unaccounted for — including citizens of the U.S., India, the U.K., the Netherlands and Australia — along with 93 Nepalis. At least 72 people were killed, China’s Xinhua News Agency reported, citing Nepal police.

An initial analysis of satellite images suggests that a flood occurred in the Lhende River because of a landslide on the Nepal-China border, according to a post on X by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

The disaster hit Tibet’s Gyirong county, with videos circulating online showing the torrent of mud and water sweep through the area. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an all-out rescue effort in Tibet, in what could become one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country this year.

In response, Xi stressed the immediate priority was to spare no effort in searching for persons who are missing, as well as relocating and resettling any threatened residents, according to a statement on the government website.

China’s Ministry of Natural Resources has activated a Level-II emergency response for geological disasters, the second-highest in the country’s four-tier emergency response system, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Nepali counterpart and conveyed his condolences, according to a post on X. “India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal,” he said. “Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts.”

Many Indian nationals in the area were undertaking the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet, sites considered sacred by Hindus and Buddhists, according to the Press Trust of India.

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, which borders Nepal, is also preparing for possible flooding as river levels are expected to rise. “Instructions have been issued to the local administration to remain fully vigilant and ensure necessary preparations,” the state’s chief minister said in a post on X.

The mudslide caused significant casualties and missing persons at the border crossing in Gyirong, a county administered by Shigatse city in Tibet, according to the Beijing News. China’s Foreign Ministry didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment sent after office hours Wednesday.

Chinese authorities have announced some details of emergency funding for rescue and recovery efforts. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Natural Resources have allocated 120 million yuan ($17.9 million) in central natural disaster relief funds to support Tibet in emergency rescue and disaster relief work. The National Development and Reform Commission has earmarked 100 million yuan ($14.9 million) in central budget investment to support post-disaster emergency recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Xi urged local governments and relevant agencies to prepare for worst-case scenarios, strengthen flood and typhoon control measures, and step up inspections of potential hazards.

—With assistance from Colum Murphy, Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Vikram Kumar and Phila Siu.

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