Two More Australians Confirmed Safe as 36 Still Missing After Nepal Flash Floods

Two more Australians have been confirmed safe following catastrophic flash floods that impacted Nepal and Tibet on Aug. 26 and 27.

Seven Australians have now been confirmed as safe, while another 36 remain missing.

The two Australians had been uncontactable but have since confirmed they are safe and do not require consular assistance.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers called the discovery a “huge relief.”

“But we still have very serious concerns for the 36 Australians that we haven’t been able to locate yet,” he told the ABC.

The update comes a day after Australia announced it would deploy a specialist team of drone operators to help search and rescue missions in Nepal.

In a joint statement with International Development Minister Anne Aly and Territories Minister Kristy McBain, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the team would include representatives from both Fire and Rescue New South Wales and the Queensland Fire Department.

The crews will depart in coming days as part of a 15-person delegation using advanced technology for rapid mapping and imaging.

“In response to Australia’s ongoing offers of assistance, the government of Nepal has now requested this support,” the statement said.

“We stand ready to provide further search, rescue, and recovery assistance.”

Australia has already deployed 19 personnel to Nepal to assist with the crisis response, including consular and humanitarian officials, Australian Federal Police officers, and defence personnel.

Local authorities are also searching areas where Australians are known to have been staying.

Australians have donated more than $4 million to support search and recovery efforts, with the Australian government offering an additional $3 million.

The funding will also support shelters, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and temporary schools for children.

“The conditions facing search and recovery teams remain extremely challenging,” the government said. “Communications are difficult, infrastructure has been destroyed, and many areas are still difficult to reach.”

Speaking of the tragedy on Sept. 3, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government’s total humanitarian package to Nepal had hit $11 million.

“We continue to do everything we can to confirm their welfare and support their families and loved ones,” he said.

More than 1,200 people died after a glacier collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border caused severe flash flooding.

Around 5,000 people remain unaccounted for overall.