Rescuers have located four more Australians who were missing following a devastating flash flood in Nepal, bringing the total number of rescued Australians to six. The development on Wednesday offers a glimmer of hope amidst a larger tragedy that has left thousands missing and hundreds confirmed dead.
While the identities of the four latest individuals to be found have not been officially confirmed, reports indicate one was found in Nepal, another in China, and three outside the disaster zone. These individuals had been unable to contact loved ones since the flood, with their families unaware of their safety until now. More than 4,850 people remain missing in Nepal, including 38 Australians.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Nepal Police reported that 1,118 bodies had been recovered following the flash flood that occurred last Wednesday. Chinese media covering the Tibet region of the border noted 16 deaths and 546 missing individuals.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the positive news, stating, "Amidst all of this tragedy, we are seeing some positive news. Today, another five Australians have been confirmed safe." He added, "We hope, of course, for positive news further, and we're doing everything we can to work with authorities."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has dispatched Air Force planes carrying aid to the region as part of a significant humanitarian recovery effort. Australian crisis response teams are also on the ground, providing assistance alongside embassy staff.
Cara Severino, a 26-year-old from Wollongong, was the first Australian found alive, pictured with Australian officials in Kathmandu on Sunday after making contact with authorities. She was near Langtang National Park and survived by joining a group fleeing the disaster zone in a tractor. The first Australian confirmed to have died in the disaster, caused by an ice avalanche, was Michael Keats from New South Wales.
Nepalese authorities have cautioned that the repatriation of foreign nationals' remains may be a lengthy process, outlining a nine-step procedure that must be followed. The Australian DFAT operates a 24-hour emergency hotline for those seeking information or assistance, reachable domestically at 1300 555 135 and internationally at +61 2 6261 3305.
Bodies from the disaster have also been found downstream in India, with at least 17 recovered from rivers. Local authorities in central Nepal have rescued nearly 12,000 people. Rescue efforts are now concentrated on debris-filled hydropower tunnels, where hundreds of workers are believed to be trapped.
Among the missing Australians are multiple children, including 11-year-old Aarush Muralitharan and his 14-year-old brother, Ashwin Muralitharan, who were traveling with their parents on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. Mr. Keats was reportedly traveling with the Isha Foundation, an organization led by Jagadish Vasudev, known as Sadhguru. Ten other Australians were part of Mr. Keats' group.
Reports indicate at least 32 Australians are missing in Nepal and Tibet, many of whom were traveling with tour groups such as Himalayan Glacier Trekking and Kailash Journeys. The Isha Foundation group includes Sumi Adhikari, Reshma Patel, Bharat Mangwani, Karan Bhardwaj, Uduy Shivamurthy, Kripa Shivamurthy, Luke Costanzo, Suhasini Reddy Kandimalla, Renee Spry, and Narayan Panthi.