The family of Luke Costanzo, a 30-year-old West Australian, are holding onto hope for a miracle as he remains among 38 Australians unaccounted for following a devastating flood disaster in Nepal. The number of missing Australians was revised downward on Wednesday after five more citizens were confirmed safe, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Mr. Costanzo was touring Mount Kailash, on the final day of a pilgrimage trek with the spiritual Isha Foundation, when the flood struck. His family last had contact with him as his tour group was heading back to Kathmandu from the Gyirong port border crossing. In a statement, his family described him as a "strong, compassionate, disciplined and spiritual person" who was excited about his pilgrimage.
"This is an unimaginably difficult situation for us, and we request the media please respect our privacy during this time," the family stated. "We truly appreciate all the love and support from friends and family that we've received and ask everyone to keep Luke, and all those affected, in your thoughts and prayers."
The family is urging those who wish to help to consider donating to aid rescue efforts on the ground. "We can do nothing but continue hoping for a miracle that Luke, and the others who remain missing, are found alive and well," they added.
Among the missing is Shruti Chandrasekaran, whose husband, Sydney father-of-two Sriram Parameswaran, has traveled to Nepal in search of her. She was part of a Himalayan glacier trekking group. "We have a two-year-old and ten-year-old kids who are waiting in Australia, hoping she is going to come back," Mr. Parameswaran told Nine News. "I'm here in search of her and hoping as a Father's Day gift I'm going to gift her to my son, that's my plan."
Another Australian, Cara Severino, 26, was among the first to be located. She was hiking near Langtang National Park when the flood, triggered by an ice avalanche, hit the region. Ms. Severino and others survived by fleeing the area on a tractor. She was pictured with Australian embassy staff in Kathmandu after making contact with authorities.
More than 4,000 people remain unaccounted for in Nepal, with the death toll surpassing 1,000. Five Australians confirmed safe on Wednesday were located in Nepal, Tibet, China, and outside the disaster zone. This follows the earlier confirmation that Ms. Severino and another Australian were found safe.