The number of South Africans reported missing following devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has risen to six, as the search for survivors continues.
Authorities say at least 270 bodies have been recovered, while hundreds of people remain unaccounted for following the disaster.
The floods were reportedly triggered after an earthquake caused landslides, sending powerful torrents of water and mud through communities. Homes and other buildings were destroyed as the disaster swept through affected areas.
An estimated 468 tourists are among those still missing, many of them foreign nationals.
As rescue operations intensify, South African humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has placed an 11-member team of urban and water-search specialists on standby.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has also authorised four K9 handlers and their search-and-rescue dogs to join the team should they be deployed.
However, the South African rescuers remain on standby for now. Neither Nepal nor Tibet has formally requested international assistance, preventing the team from travelling to the affected areas.
Gift of the Givers previously deployed teams to Nepal following the devastating 2015 earthquake, with rescuers and medical personnel assisting communities in the aftermath.
The organisation says it remains ready to deploy its teams if Nepal or Tibet formally requests international assistance.