UDIN DHUNGA, Nepal (AP) – Massive flash floods in Nepal on Wednesday killed at least 22 people and left hundreds of tourists, workers and others missing after sweeping through communities and bringing travel in parts of the Himalayan country to a halt.

China's government across the northern border also launched search and rescue efforts, with major casualties in the border area of Gyirong, state broadcaster CCTV reported. No toll was immediately reported.

Officials in Nepal said 384 tourists, including 291 from countries such as India, the United States, Britain and Malaysia, were reported missing. Tourism board officials said most of the missing likely were from India and the Indian diaspora on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus.