A flash flood described as a "tsunami from the sky" has left at least 43 Australians missing in Nepal, following a glacial collapse in the Himalayas near the Nepal-China border. The disaster, which occurred on Wednesday, has resulted in approximately 800 reported deaths and at least 3,000 people missing overall.
Among the missing is Renee Spry, a woman from Townsville who was on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a significant site in Buddhism and Hinduism. She was last heard from at the Gyirong border post between Nepal and Tibet just minutes before the floodwaters hit. Her sister has launched a fundraising effort to help organize flights for Spry's partner and daughters to travel to Nepal.
Another family, the Yeos, with four members – Sreedharan, Lakshmi, and their sons Rudra and Rishabh – are also among the unaccounted for. Rishabh's partner, Sarada Vishwanathan, expressed fear and disappointment, urging the Australian government to send troops to aid in the search efforts. "It's been five days now, and we know that the critical window of survival is getting slimmer and slimmer as the days pass. And we just have no answers," Vishwanathan stated.
Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite confirmed the rising number of missing Australians and stated that embassy staff in Kathmandu are working continuously. Australia has dispatched an additional 12 personnel to assist the ambassador. The Nepalese government has requested further support, and Australia has pledged an additional $3 million, bringing the total aid package to $8 million, primarily in the form of hygiene kits and solar lights.
Survivors are in urgent need of basic amenities, with many displaced individuals housed in temporary shelters. Rabindra Hamal, who was working at a dam site, recounted being warned to flee minutes before the flood. He and colleagues escaped by car, but two were swept away while attempting to reach higher ground on foot. Hamal described the experience as "completely terrifying."
Helicopter rescues were eventually carried out to evacuate survivors to an army barracks and then to Kathmandu. Hamal noted that approximately 500 workers from his hydro project remain missing. A candlelight vigil is scheduled to be held in Melbourne to commemorate the victims.
