China Says 261 Foreigners From 23 Countries Are Missing in Tibet Flood

BREAKING: China says 261 foreigners from 23 countries are missing after a devastating flood in Tibet, offering the clearest picture yet of the disaster.

Two hundred and sixty one foreigners are missing after a devastating flood in Tibet.

That's the figure from Beijing, and it's the clearest picture we've had of this disaster so far. Those missing come from twenty three different countries, which tells you something about who was in the region, trekkers, climbers, travellers drawn to one of the most remote places on earth. These pictures show rescue vehicles moving civilians out of the flood zone.

Tibet's terrain makes everything about this harder. High altitude, narrow valleys, roads that wash out in hours. When water comes through there, it comes fast, and getting search teams in is slow, difficult work. Chinese authorities say the operation is ongoing, and embassies across Asia and Europe will be working their lists tonight, family by family.

Twenty three countries, two hundred and sixty one people unaccounted for, and every one of them has someone waiting by a phone.

This is Sara White, reporting for HIT.