The Australian government is urgently seeking information on at least 35 Australians reported missing in Nepal after a catastrophic flash flood swept through the Nepal-Tibet border region.
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Key facts
- At least 35 Australians are reported missing in Nepal following a flash flood.
- The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is 'working around the clock' to verify their status.
- Assistant foreign affairs minister Matt Thistlethwaite said staff are liaising with Kathmandu.
- Plans are underway to send an emergency team to the region.
- The figure is based on reports from the Nepali Tourism Board and officials on the ground.
The Australian government is urgently seeking information on the welfare of at least 35 Australians reported missing in Nepal, after a catastrophic flash flood swept through the Nepal-Tibet border region, according to the Guardian.
Assistant minister for foreign affairs Matt Thistlethwaite said on Thursday evening that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) was “working around the clock” to verify the status of the missing Australians.
Thistlethwaite said Dfat staff are liaising with authorities in Kathmandu to locate the 35 missing Australians, the Guardian reported.
The government also plans to send an emergency team to the affected region, according to the report.
The figure of at least 35 missing Australians is based on reports from the Nepali Tourism Board and officials on the ground, the Guardian said.
Further details on the circumstances of those missing, or the wider toll of the flash flood, were not provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
Flash floods in mountainous border regions can cut off communications and travel routes, making it difficult to account for tourists quickly. For Australian families and the wider public, official efforts to verify the welfare of missing citizens are a critical part of the emergency response.
Frequently asked questions
How many Australians are missing in Nepal?
According to the Guardian, at least 35 Australians have been reported missing following a flash flood in the Nepal-Tibet border region. The figure is based on reports from the Nepali Tourism Board and officials on the ground.
What is the Australian government doing to find them?
Assistant foreign affairs minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is 'working around the clock' to verify their status, liaising with Kathmandu, and plans to send an emergency team to the region.
What caused the emergency in Nepal?
A catastrophic flash flood swept through the Nepal-Tibet border region, according to the Guardian.
Timeline
- Australian officials ‘working around the clock’ to check welfare of tourists missing in Nepal
The Guardian World: Dfat minister Matt Thistlethwaite says staff are liaising with Kathmandu to find 35 missing Australians, and plans to send emergency team to the region Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Australian government is urgently seeking information on the we