Devastating floods in Tibet. The affected area is the city of Shigatse, in Gyirong County, bordering Nepal. Local authorities report "serious losses" and numerous missing people.
There are also reportedly large numbers of tourists in the area. Initial estimates put the death toll at nearly two hundred, but hundreds are still missing, including many foreigners, especially Indian, American, and British citizens.
Rain and swollen rivers triggered massive landslides , and dozens of rescue teams responded to the scene. An initial hypothesis suggests the catastrophe may have been caused by a glacier that collapsed.
In addition to local authorities, Chinese President Xi Jinping has also ordered everything possible to search for the missing and rescue the population.
The Farnesina is working to provide assistance to Italians in the area. The Crisis Unit is liaising with the Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata, the Honorary Consulate in Kathmandu, and the Italian Embassy in Beijing to verify the possible involvement of Italian nationals in the area. Two tourists and their guide were stranded above a landslide that blocked a road; they are in contact with the Ministry.
For emergencies, please contact the Farnesina Crisis Unit at +39 06 36 225, the Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata at +91 33 2479 2426, and, for China, the Italian Embassy in Beijing at the emergency number +86 139 0103 2957.
(Unioneonline)