Vigil takes place for Nepal flash flood disaster

A candlelight vigil has taken place in Berkshire for the victims of the flash flood in Nepal.

The gathering at the Ascot War Memorial on Wednesday evening was held by Friends of Nepal UK.

Organisers said it was to "remember those who have died, hold in thought and prayer those who remain missing and their families, and stand alongside the people of Nepal at a time of profound loss".

More than 1,300 people died when a flash flood swept through Nepalese border villages on 26 August.

Believed to have been triggered by a glacial collapse, it swept through a Himalayan valley along the border between Nepal and Tibet.

About 5,200 people are still missing, including more than 30 British nationals.

Friends of Nepal UK said: "At a time of immense loss for the people of Nepal, we wish simply to stand together - in remembrance, solidarity and hope."

They described the small vigil as a "quiet act of remembrance".

Nishan Sharma, who is from Bracknell and runs a pub in Ascot, said as he lit his candle at the vigil he was thinking "about the ones who lost their lives, and the ones that are still missing, and I prayed that hopefully they are alright".

Sharma, who has friends with families affected by the disaster, added: "It really means a lot to them and it means a lot for us as well to get this kind of support.

"Honestly, this is from the bottom of our heart, we thank each and every one of them for all the support, not just financial, like emotional support, and all those things as well."

Sharada Gurung, chairlady of the Buddhist Community Centre UK, a Buddhist monastery in Aldershot, said: "It is a really sad and mourning time for all of us, especially because our country has been suffering from this natural disaster.

"Before, a couple of years ago, an earthquake happened in our country.

"Lots of people lost their lives. Now another natural disaster... so it has been a really sad time for all of us."

Sian Martin, mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, said the impact of the flash flood "goes beyond Nepal itself".

"Although it's a very, very sad thing that's happened, I think events like this bring the faith communities together and make us remember and bring forward that sense of community and humanity," she said.

"I thought today was really, really moving.

"I enjoyed the prayers from all the different faiths, and it gave us time to, more importantly, reflect on what's happened and take that with us."

Organiser Marcos De Castillon said his "heart broke" when he saw footage of the disaster.

"The moment the candles were lit, the ability for people to just sink into their energy, to quiet their mind, I mean it moved me," he said.

"I felt a change in the air and it's because we live such fast-paced lives."