BREAKING NEWS: Prince William and Princess Kate issue rare joint statement after ‘terrible disaster’
UK offers £5 million to Nepal following devastating flash floods
The Prince and Princess of Wales have expressed their shock at the deadly flash floods in Nepal. Issuing a joint statement, the pair said: “We are thinking of everyone caught up in this terrible disaster”. Nepalese authorities said at least 270 people have died in the flooding in the Rasuwa district, which borders China’s autonomous region of Tibet, where three more have been confirmed dead. More than 30 British nationals are among hundreds of people missing as rescue efforts continued on Thursday.
Prince William and Princess Catherine took to their official X account and said in a message: “The scale of the devastation along the Nepal-China border is shocking. We are thinking of everyone caught up in this terrible disaster. Our thoughts are especially with the families facing an unbearable wait for news and with the communities confronting such immense loss.
Princess Kate and Prince William are ‘incredibly grateful’ to rescue worker in Nepal (Image: PA)
At least 270 people have died in Nepal (Image: Getty)
“We are incredibly grateful to all those working in such dangerous conditions to rescue people and support those affected.”
They signed the message with their initials, “W & C”.
The UK has offered £5 million to help the Nepalese government amid a “very distressing and devastating situation” following the country’s flash floods, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said.
Two teenagers, a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy, are among the 33 British nationals believed to be unaccounted for, as the total number of missing people in Nepal rose from 403 to 826.
Flash floods caused rivers to burst their banks and covered populated areas in thick mud, burying houses and creating difficult conditions for rescuers.
The scale of the devastation along the Nepal-China border is shocking. We are thinking of everyone caught up in this terrible disaster.
Our thoughts are especially with the families facing an unbearable wait for news and with the communities confronting such immense loss.
Meanwhile, the King said he and the Queen were “heartbroken” and sent their “most profound sympathy” to those affected, adding: “Many in the United Kingdom have strong, deep and personal ties to this part of the world.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the floods in Nepal”.
It added: “British nationals in Nepal should follow local authority advice and exercise caution while travelling.
“For consular assistance call (+44) (0)207 008 5000 or (+977) (0)14237100.”
