Nepal floods: King ‘heartbroken’ as 33 UK residents remain missing

Thirty-three from the UK remain missing

Nepali authorities said that the death toll from the flash flooding has risen to at least 475, with several hundred people still missing, including 644 tourists.

JOE has been following the search for the UK nationals missing near the Nepal-Tibet border since Thursday.

What is thought to be the likely cause of the flash flooding is an avalanche from a glacier.

What the royals said about the Nepal floods

The BBC reported that the King said he and the Queen were sending their "most profound sympathy to all those who have so tragically lost their loved ones".

"Many in the United Kingdom have strong, deep and personal ties to this part of the world," his statement continued.

The King added that their hearts went out to the families of the police and armed forces personnel who lost their lives carrying out their duty.

The Prince and Princess of Wales said they were "thinking of everyone caught up in this terrible disaster".

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, calling it a "very distressing and devastating situation", said the UK has offered £5m to help the Nepalese government.

Families still waiting for news

Leena Bector, a British woman from Slough, has been confirmed missing by Fishtail Tours and Travels. Her husband, Bhupesh Bector, told the Times he is flying out.

"I know that she's in Nepal for sure, so even if they find her today or tomorrow, I need to be there," he said.

Pramod Pudel, who lives in East Sussex but is originally from Nepal, told BBC Radio Sussex on Thursday that "nothing remains" where his family lives. He is flying back to search for his wife, mother, brother and uncle.

Officials in Nepal have warned of a possible secondary flood risk near the Bhote Koshi river.

Prime Minister Burnham and the Foreign Office have urged people to follow local guidance and remain alert to the changing situation, with the Foreign Office adding that it is working closely with Nepalese authorities.