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. A Nepali tour operator told the Guardian he feared that 15 Australians trekking with his company, including children as young as 11, have died.
At least 165 people have died and hundreds more are missing after the devastating flood waters surged through the valley on both sides of the border with Tibet. Guardian Australia has confirmed the missing Australians include people from Sydney's north-western suburbs, including separate families who were travelling together.
Government response and ongoing search efforts
The Australian government has stated it is urgently working to confirm the welfare of the missing citizens. The Nepali tour operator's fears highlight the severity of the situation, with children among those unaccounted for. The floods have caused widespread devastation across the region, with rescue and recovery operations continuing.
The disaster has prompted an international response, with authorities from both Nepal and Tibet involved in the search for survivors and the recovery of victims. The Australian government is coordinating with local officials to provide assistance and information to the families of those affected.
Labor to slash refugee intake
In related political news, Australia's annual refugee intake will fall by a third next financial year, as Labor works to drive down migration levels over increasing political pressure from One Nation. The changes will be part of Labor's attempt to stem One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's surge in support, driven in large part by the politics of immigration.
When asked about the changes, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said Labor was “responding to national needs” while acknowledging a “spike in support for One Nation”. He added, “We're worried about trying to get numbers right.”
Other notable news and cultural figures
In other news, a Queensland woman gave birth to twins with different parents after surrogacy coincided with natural pregnancy. Police are investigating the death of a teenage girl two days after an alleged 'sexual choking' act in Sydney. Qantas may hike fares and expand Jetstar add-on fees as profits dip to a four-year low. Geelong was fined $140,000 over a secret Jake Kolodjashnij concussion waiver.
Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, the outsider artist who reached superstar status after decades living in a psychiatric hospital, has died aged 97. Instantly recognisable by her bright red bobbed wig, Kusama became known for her psychedelic colour schemes and “infinity mirror room” installations, which helped her find a huge audience in the age of the social media selfie: her 2024 show in Australia was the most popular exhibition in the country's history.
Scientific innovations and public engagement
In science news, 'Paraborg' roaches are designed to find – and potentially deliver aid to – victims trapped in collapsed buildings. For people trapped under rubble in an earthquake or similar disaster, the arrival of a fleet of cockroaches could one day be the difference between life and death.
The Guardian's podcast discusses the backlash to datacentres across the UK and around the world, as AI companies have promised world-shifting technology but at a cost: loud, unsightly datacentres that drain environmental resources. As the government pushes their rapid growth, local communities are questioning whether they can do anything to push back.
