Australian Government Urgently Responds to Missing Tourists in Nepal Floods > 호주뉴스

The Australian government is actively seeking information regarding the welfare of at least 35 Australians who are reported missing in Nepal following a severe flash flood that affected the Nepal-Tibet border region. Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, stated that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is "working around the clock" to verify the status of these individuals. The number of missing Australians is based on reports from the Nepali Tourism Board and local officials. The Australian government is also planning to send an emergency team to the area to assist in the search efforts.

Among the 35 Australians missing due to the catastrophic floods in Nepal are children as young as 11. A New South Wales couple, Venkatraman Balakrishnan, 52, and his wife, Chitra Venkatraman, 46, are among those identified as missing after they were on a spiritual pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet. Their son confirmed their absence, and it is feared that at least 15 Australians who were trekking near the border with China may have died as a result of the flooding. The situation remains critical as rescue operations continue in the affected areas.