King Charles III and Queen Camilla say they are "heartbroken" over the catastrophic flash floods that tore through the Nepal-China border region this week, offering prayers and financial support as rescue teams continue searching for survivors.
In a personally signed message, the King wrote, "My wife and I are heartbroken to hear of the devastating flooding that has struck the Nepal-China border," adding that "many in the United Kingdom have strong, deep and personal ties to this part of the world." He closed the statement by saying their "special thoughts and prayers remain with all those affected."
The disaster struck after a glacial collapse released roughly 20 million cubic meters of water, sending floodwaters as high as 650 feet through towns and river valleys along a route used by trekkers and pilgrims traveling between Kathmandu and Lhasa. At least 350 people have died, with more than 1,000 still unaccounted for, including 33 British nationals among hundreds of missing foreign tourists.
The King also paid tribute to police and armed forces personnel who died during rescue operations, praising their "courageous duty in the service of others." The UK government has pledged roughly £5 million in emergency aid, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, issued their own statement expressing shock at the scale of the devastation.
As search and rescue operations continue and Nepal's government works to reach cut-off communities, the royal family's message joins a wider wave of international prayer and support for a region now facing one of its largest disasters in decades.
