King 'heartbroken' by floods as search for missing, including 33 from UK, continues

The King says he and Queen Camilla are "heartbroken" by the deadly flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border, as 33 people from the UK are missing including a 13-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy.

The Prince and Princess of Wales also expressed their shock, saying they were "thinking of everyone caught up in this terrible disaster".

The death toll from the floods has risen to at least 359, with more than 1,300 people missing, 644 of whom are tourists according to Nepali authorities.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK has offered £5m to help the Nepalese government following the floods, adding it was a "very distressing and devastating situation".

King Charles said that he and the Queen were sending their "most profound sympathy to all those who have so tragically lost their loved ones".

"Many in the United Kingdom have strong, deep and personal ties to this part of the world," the King's statement continued.

"We feel deeply for the many families awaiting anxiously the news of friends and relations.

"Our hearts go out also to the families of all the police and armed forces personnel who lost their lives while carrying out their courageous duty in the service of others."

The prime minister and the Foreign Office in the UK have urged people to follow local guidance and remain alert to the changing situation, as officials in Nepal warn of a possible secondary flood risk near the Bhote Koshi river.

The Foreign Office added it was working closely with Nepalese authorities.

A British woman from Slough, Leena Bector, has been confirmed by Fishtail Tours and Travels as missing. Her husband, Bhupesh Bector, told the Times he is flying out to the country.

"I know that she's in Nepal for sure, so even if they find her today or tomorrow, I need to be there," he said.

British resident Pramod Pudel, who lives in East Sussex but is originally from Nepal, told BBC Radio Sussex on Thursday that "nothing remains" where his family lives and he is flying back to search for his wife, mother, brother and uncle.

"It's a very, very difficult time for me and for my family and my country at this moment, but obviously I have to go and see what's happening there," he said.