The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has conveyed the support of the European Union to Nepal following the "devastating" floods that have struck the north of the country, with a provisional toll of at least 22 dead and hundreds missing, and has sent her condolences to the relatives of the victims.
"We are ready to mobilize European aid," the head of the community executive stated in a message on social media, in which she also detailed that the European satellite system Copernicus has already been activated to help map the affected areas in Nepal and support the response on the ground.
"Devastating floods have hit communities in Nepal and China. My thoughts are with all those affected, especially the families who have lost loved ones or who are still waiting for news. We also think of the brave emergency teams," she indicated in a message.
The floods have originated from the overflow of the Bhotekoshi River in the Rasuwa district, a mountainous area in the north of Nepal near the border with Tibet, where authorities confirmed on Wednesday at least 22 dead and hundreds of people missing.
Throughout the course of the river, numerous settlements and infrastructures have suffered severe damage, while the water has also caused significant destruction in Chinese territory, on the other side of the border, especially at the Gyirong pass. The Nepal Army has stated that, for the moment, 88 people have been rescued alive.