The mudslide at the Jilong Port in Tibet. Image: Screenshot.
At least 34 Australians are missing following a deadly flash flood in Nepal and Tibet, which was triggered by a glacial collapse that swept water through the Himalayan border region on Wednesday (26 August).
Anthony Albanese confirmed on Thursday that Australians are missing in the area and that officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are providing consular assistance in Nepal.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the significant flooding in Nepal and Tibet, China,” the Prime Minister said.
“Australians in the affected area should follow the advice of local authorities.
“We are aware of a number of Australians in the area and Australian officials are urgently working to confirm their welfare.
“We are liaising with local authorities as well as tour operators. We stand ready to provide consular assistance.”
The Prime Minister later expressed the difficulty in ascertaining information following the tragedy.
“Nepal is a developing country. It doesn’t have the resources that an event like that would have in Australia,” he said.
“So information is difficult. Our thoughts are with all those who will be concerned about their loved ones today.”
At least 165 people have been killed in the floods, which have wiped out entire local villages.
But the area is popular with international tourists, including from Australia, India, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.
More than 24 hours after the floods hit, Nepal’s disaster agency reported 823 people remained out of contact, with at least 579 of them being domestic and foreign tourists.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the 34 missing Australians were part of separate tour groups and pilgrimages.
She said the Federal Government was urgently trying to determine their situations.
“The government’s priority is to confirm the whereabouts and welfare of these Australians,” Senator Wong said.
“We are currently deploying further DFAT personnel, including crisis response experts to the region to ensure that we do provide the support needed to these posts, particularly our post in Nepal.
“At this stage, access and information are very limited given the scale of the disaster. We will do our best to ascertain whatever information we can.”
The Foreign Minister has spoken to Australia’s ambassador to China and Nepal to convey the government’s support.
Many of those killed and missing were en route to the high-altitude Tibetan pilgrimage site Kailash Mansarovar, which is regarded as holy by Hindus and Buddhists.
Early reports suggested that a 4.4-magnitude earthquake had triggered glacial collapse, but the US Geological Survey subsequently ruled that out.
It said in a statement: “This event was initially reported as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake. Additional analysis of nearby seismic stations, long period seismic waves, and satellite imagery led to the determination that the seismic event was instead a glacial collapse and debris flow, and that no earthquake had occurred.”
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor also released a statement on Thursday.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the devastating flooding in Nepal and Tibet, including the families who have lost loved ones and those still waiting for news,” he said.
“We are also thinking of the Australians caught up in this disaster and their families here at home.”
Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135, or +61 2 6261 3305 (if calling from overseas).
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
