A total of 275 Indian nationals are still missing in the aftermath of the deadly flash floods that devastated Nepal, while 169 Indians have been rescued so far, the external affairs ministry said on Friday.
“[A total of] 275 Indian nationals remain missing. This figure includes 49 Indians listed as missing in China, he said. Flash floods and debris flows triggered by the partial collapse of a glacier hit a checkpoint on the China-Nepal border on August 26 and devastated dozens of settlements along a stretch of the Trishuli River. More than 5,600 people are still missing on both sides of the China-Nepal border, including some 550 foreign nationals. Chinese authorities have also reported 21 deaths and 541 people missing in Tibet. Jaiswal said that India has sent 54 personnel to Nepal to support relief and rescue efforts and airlifted 95 tonnes of relief materials on seven aircraft.
We continue to be in close touch with the Nepali government and the ministry of home affairs here and the concerned state governments in India as well,” Jaiswal said in response to questions.
The personnel sent to Nepal include 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic experts, and a five-member medical team.
“Our rescue and forensic teams are deployed on the ground and they are closely working with the Nepalese authorities,” he said. With the Nepali side making a push for compensation from “major greenhouse gas emitters” in the wake of the natural disaster, Jaiswal said India had promptly extended solidarity and support to the government and people of Nepal, and will continue to support rescue, relief, reconstruction and recovery efforts as a close friend and partner.
