A Georgia woman remains missing after catastrophic flash floods swept through the Nepal-Tibet border region, claiming hundreds of lives. Mary Sorenson, 60, from north of Atlanta, was on a spiritual pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a journey she had long dreamed of completing.
Sorenson had finished her pilgrimage and was beginning her descent when the deadly floods occurred on Wednesday. Her family last heard from her via text message on Tuesday morning. In her final communication, she expressed how grateful she was for her family. "She ended that text by saying, ‘I’m so grateful that you guys are my family,'" her son, Riley Wildeman, told ABC News.
The disaster has resulted in a significant death toll, with reports indicating over 900 people have died. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with thousands of people still unaccounted for. Among the missing are 592 foreigners, including at least 85 Americans.
Sorenson's family has been in contact with the U.S. State Department and government agencies in Nepal and China in an effort to locate her. Wildeman described the situation as causing a "deep, guttural pain" for his family, who hold onto hope for a miracle.
Other pilgrims, including Long Island residents Amita Amin, 67, and Jitendra Manubhai Patel, 63, along with New Jersey resident Tejal Vyomesh Patel, 64, who were also on pilgrimages to Mount Kailash, are among the missing.