Five Australians make contact, 38 unaccounted for as Nepal flood rescue operation continues

Five Australians have been confirmed alive in the recent Nepal floods, reducing the total number of missing citizens from 43 to 38. One of the confirmed Australians was found in Nepal, another in Tibet, a third in China, and the remaining three outside the crisis zone. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has received over 800 calls about the flood situation, with 18 Australian personnel already on-site in Nepal to assist. Additional humanitarian and disaster relief is expected to arrive in Nepal this afternoon.

Meanwhile, drug testing will resume at New South Wales music festivals starting October, but will not be expanded to other parts of the community. The state government plans to consult with music festival organizers and harm reduction organizations to implement pill testing at up to 15 festivals annually. The presence of sniffer dogs at music festivals will remain unchanged, as they have proven ineffective in discouraging risky drug use.

In a separate development, Australia is set to allocate a $600 million package to combat transnational drug trafficking in the Pacific. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the initiative at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. The funds will be used to enhance aerial surveillance and provide police and border training to Pacific nations.

The package aims to address the growing issue of illicit drug flow through the region, which has contributed to increased gang activity in Samoa and Tonga and a surge in HIV rates in Fiji. In 2025, approximately 4.6 tonnes of illicit drugs were seized by local and international law enforcement, with 17 tonnes seized in the first five months of this year, predominantly cocaine.

Pacific Minister Pat Conroy emphasized that the new initiative responds to the demands of regional leaders and seeks to strengthen regional cooperation in tackling the drug trafficking crisis.