An Australian believed to be missing after flash floods ravaged the Nepal-Tibet border last week has been found alive, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat). The person made contact with Dfat officials on Tuesday from Tibet, where they are receiving support from Australian consular officers and have spoken with their family.
This development reduces the number of Australians unaccounted for in the disaster from 43 to 42. It follows the safe location of another Australian, 25-year-old Cara Severino, over the weekend.
Government confirms relief and ongoing concerns
Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong expressed gratitude for the positive news. "We're incredibly thankful another Australian, who had been unaccounted for, has now been found," Wong said. "It's hard to imagine the sense of relief their loved ones must be feeling after what will have been an incredibly harrowing few days."
Due to privacy obligations, Dfat is unable to provide further details about the individual's identity or circumstances.
Rising death toll and widespread missing
The death toll from the unprecedented deluge of ice, rock, mud, and debris that struck on Wednesday last week has risen to 939 people, with 16 more deaths reported in Tibet. More than 4,400 people remain missing on both sides of the Nepal-China border.
Wong cautioned that the government needed to "remain realistic" about the days ahead, citing ongoing challenges in the affected regions.
Difficult conditions and international response
"Communications remain difficult, infrastructure has been destroyed and many areas are still difficult to reach," Wong said. "As each day passes, our grave concerns for those still unaccounted for inevitably grow. Our thoughts remain firmly with all those waiting for news of family and friends, and with the search and rescue teams working in extraordinarily difficult circumstances."
Australia has sent an $8 million assistance package for affected communities on the Nepal-China border. Nepal has deployed nearly 20,000 security personnel to support search and rescue operations, while Chinese state media reports that 2,141 emergency personnel have been deployed on their side of the border.
