Taiwan prepares search and rescue team after Nepal-Tibet flood
A glacier collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border has killed and left missing well over a thousand people, and Taiwan is standing by to send rescuers.
- Taiwan has put its national search and rescue team, plus units from Tainan, Hsinchu City and Chiayi County, on standby for departure.
- Nepal has not asked Taiwan for help yet, and no Taiwanese nationals are reported trapped or hurt.
- More than 800 people are missing in Nepal with 177 bodies recovered; Tibet lists 558 missing and three dead.
- Early reports blamed an earthquake, but U.S. geologists ruled that out — a Himalayan glacier collapsed and sent debris crashing downstream.
Outlook: Taiwan's team will only move once Nepal formally requests help, and the death toll is likely to climb as searches continue.