CNA Explains: What caused the deadly Nepal-Tibet disaster?

A high-altitude collapse of rock and glacial ice sent a fast-moving mass of debris and water down narrow Himalayan valleys. Scientists are working out what triggered the collapse – and whether climate change played a role.

The disaster that struck the mountainous Nepal-Tibet border region was initially reported to have been caused by an earthquake.

At least 53 Ukrainians are missing after catastrophic floods and landslides along the Nepal-Tibet border killed at least 165 people and left more than 1,000 unaccounted for. The US Geological Survey says a glacial collapse triggered the disaster, while experts warn an upstream blockage could cause a second flood.