Families descend on Nepal in search of missing tourists

A week after devastating floods struck Nepal's Himalayan border region, families of missing foreigners are desperate to find their loved ones among the thousands still unaccounted for. In Kathmandu, desperate relatives register for DNA testing at the Nepal Police Hospital, clinging to hope amidst uncertainty. Sanjeev Rai, an American tourist, arrived in Nepal after learning his wife was missing after a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, but dangerous terrain and inaccessible villages hinder his search.

Jyoti, an Intel engineer, had embarked on the spiritual journey to mark her 50th birthday but now Rai feels all but hopeless of her survival, only hoping for a DNA match. The August 26 flood is one of the deadliest disasters in recent years, killing over 1,200 people and leaving more than 4,750 missing in Nepal and Tibet. Over 294 foreigners have been rescued, mostly Chinese and Indian nationals, but 583 remain unaccounted for, many being pilgrims who spent months preparing for the trek around Mount Kailash.

Among these are 77 pilgrims from Sadhguru's Isha Foundation, including Europeans, North Americans, and Australians. Several relatives from the Foundation traveled to Kathmandu for answers, but as of now, all members of the group remain missing. The Nepal police began collecting DNA samples from relatives to aid in identifying bodies, while families overseas can submit samples in their home countries.

Across the globe, relatives of missing musicians and pilgrims plan to join the search in Nepal, hoping for any news of their loved ones.