Number of Australians missing in Nepal rises to 43
Authorities now confirm that 43 Australian nationals remain missing following the Nepal floods.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it has logged over 650 calls concerning the disaster.
Nepali and Chinese officials have updated the death toll to at least 810.
More than 3,000 individuals are thought to be missing after a glacial collapse caused flash floods that inundated Gyirong port on the Nepal‑China border on Wednesday.
Australian personnel still unable to access Nepal flood zone
Australian personnel have not been able to access the flood zone yet, said Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite.
Speaking on ABC Radio National, Thistlethwaite noted that roads remain severed and most telecommunications infrastructure is down.
double quotation markThere has been about eight power stations that have been affected as well, so it’s very difficult to get into the area.
He added that Canberra had offered assistance to Beijing, noting that six Australians are still unaccounted for on the Chinese side of the border.
double quotation markThey’ve said at this stage they don’t require that support.
Australia to send $3m in additional aid to Nepal
Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced an additional A$3 million in aid for Nepal, raising Australia’s total contribution to A$8 million.
Half of the new funding will be managed by the Australian Defence Force, which will procure hygiene kits, solar lighting and other emergency supplies at Nepal’s request.
double quotation markThe Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will transport the first of these supplies from Queensland in the coming days.
A further A$1 million will be directed to the Emergency Action Alliance appeal, which has already attracted A$1.4 million from public donors.
Fourteen Australian officials — including crisis response teams, consular officers and federal police — are currently operating in Kathmandu to support relief efforts, with two additional personnel slated for deployment this week.
Number of Australians missing in Nepal rises to 43
Authorities now confirm that 43 Australian nationals remain missing following the Nepal floods.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it has logged over 650 calls concerning the disaster.
Nepali and Chinese officials have updated the death toll to at least 810.
More than 3,000 individuals are thought to be missing after a glacial collapse caused flash floods that inundated Gyirong port on the Nepal‑China border on Wednesday.
Good morning
Welcome to Guardian Australia’s live coverage of the Nepal flood situation.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that Australia will deliver a further A$3 million in aid, building on the A$5 million pledged last week.
The current count of missing Australians stands at 42, with families awaiting news.
We now turn to the latest updates.
