Dozens of Australian tourists are reportedly missing in the deadly flash floods that swept through the Nepal-Tibet border, as the Australian government says it is urgently working to confirm their welfare. According to the Nepal Tourist Board, as reported by Press Association, at least 403 people have been reported missing, with 341 foreign nationals unaccounted for. According to the tourist board, 203 of the missing are male and 200 female.
Also among the missing were 47 people from the US, 34 from Australia, 33 from the UK and 24 from Canada. They include one Australian who was travelling with Kathmandu Holiday Tours + Travel, Agence France Presse reported. Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, said the government was urgently trying to confirm the welfare of Australians in Nepal.
In a statement issued on Thursday morning, she said: “The loss of life and destruction caused by flash flooding in Nepal and China is devastating. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those killed or missing and all affected by this disaster. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) said it is aware of a “number” of Australians in the area affected by the flooding, saying officials stand ready to provide consular assistance.
A Dfat spokesperson said: “We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the significant flooding in Nepal and Tibet, China. We are liaising with local authorities as well as tour operators.” Earlier, Australia’s ambassador to Nepal, Simon Ernst, had said he was “deeply saddened” by the disaster. A joint statement issued by the embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Norway, Switzerland and the UK in Nepal, posted on social media overnight by Ernst, said: “We are deeply saddened by the devastating flooding in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts and surrounding areas.
We express our solidarity with the people of Nepal during this difficult time.
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