Himalayan Glacier Adventures, a Baltimore‑based travel company, announced that a group of 47 people on a pilgrimage to Nepal has gone missing after severe flooding devastated the area. The expedition, which included 40 tourists and seven guides, was split into two parties on Wednesday morning with plans to reconvene at the Chinese border before entering Tibet.
Missing travelers and personal impact
Managing director Sanket Pandey told WBAL that his own uncle is among the missing. “My uncle was in that group, so he’s still missing. He has two kids, a son and a daughter. They’re both in the U.S.,” Pandey said. The group’s final messages indicated they were finishing breakfast before continuing northward.
In total, 12 American citizens are among those unaccounted for. Seven kitchen staff members who had left the hardest‑hit zone a day earlier were rescued, but no sign of any guests or guides has been found.
Extent of the disaster
Video from the region shows fast‑moving water carrying cars and buildings away, while satellite imagery confirms the destruction of the Royal Himalaya Hotel and Lodge, a structure that stood west of the river in 2023 but is now gone. The flooding has erased roads, washed out bridges, and left the area unsafe for rescue crews.
Rescue challenges and family response
Rescue operations are hampered by unstable terrain and continuing rain. Families of the missing have flown to Nepal, waiting for any word of their loved ones. “I’m sure it’s difficult for all of us,” Pandey said. “Every day, the hope dwindles. So, anything now, I guess it would be closure.”
The company plans to launch a fundraiser to support the guides and staff members who survived the disaster, aiming to provide financial assistance to those families affected.
Looking ahead
Authorities in Nepal are working with international partners to locate the missing travelers, but the scale of the flooding makes the task daunting. As the situation develops, the Baltimore community watches closely, offering prayers and support for the families awaiting news.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
