Foreign Ministry issues guidance for Bulgarian citizens in Tibet-Nepal region

Following the devastating disaster in the border area between the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, overland travel is currently completely blocked and extremely dangerous due to the total destruction of the Gyirong Port, the main land connection between Tibet and Nepal. Infrastructure, bridges and roads in the Bhote Koshi River valley have been washed away, while the area is blocked by deep mud, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on its website.

The ministry advises all Bulgarian citizens traveling independently or as part of organized groups to strictly follow the instructions of local authorities.

Those currently in the affected area on the Tibetan side should immediately abandon any plans to travel south by land and explore alternative routes for returning to Bulgaria. The land border with Nepal is currently closed. One possible way to leave Tibet is to return to Lhasa and take a flight via mainland China.

Rainfall is continuing in the area, creating a high risk of secondary landslides. Attempts to approach the border with Nepal, in Gyirong County, or the river corridors of the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers are strongly discouraged.

Contact information

Bulgarian citizens in Tibet can contact the Bulgarian Embassy in China at +86 156 4658 8195. The same number is available outside working hours, along with +86 10 6532 1916. Requests for assistance can also be sent to Consulate.Beijing@mfa.bg.

Bulgarian citizens in Nepal can contact the Bulgarian Embassy in India at +91 11 2611 5550, +91 11 2611 5549, or +91 11 2412 1054. The emergency number outside working hours is +91 99109 99498. Requests for assistance can also be sent to Embassy.Delhi@mfa.bg.

For assistance in emergency situations, Bulgarian citizens can also contact the MFA’s Situation Centre, which operates 24/7, at +359 2 948 24 04, +359 2 971 38 56, or +359 893 339 616, or by email at Crisis@mfa.bg.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova