Nepal mulling steps to determine status of flood, landslide victims, says govt
The foreign ministry says the Malaysian embassy in Kathmandu will liaise with Nepalese authorities to obtain clarification on the relevant processes.
On August 26, a series of floods and landslides triggered by an ice and rock collapse in Tibet's upper Lhende Khola catchment reportedly claimed over 1,450 lives, leaving thousands of individuals unaccounted for. The Nepalese government is contemplating legal measures to establish the status of those still unidentified, including foreign nationals, following these catastrophic events.
A statement from Malaysia's foreign ministry revealed that the proposed measures are still subject to Nepal's domestic legal processes and have not yet been implemented. The Malaysian embassy in Kathmandu will work closely with Nepalese authorities to obtain clarification on the relevant procedures and documentation if the measures are enacted.
The government also expressed its commitment to engaging with Nepalese authorities and coordinating with Malaysian agencies on the necessary processes.
In a recent meeting, the Malaysian government engaged with 95 next of kin, family members, and representatives of 55 Malaysians who remain missing after the floods and landslides in Nepal on August 26. The session aimed to provide families with the latest verified updates on the situation and offer them a chance to ask questions directly to the relevant ministries and agencies involved in the rescue efforts.
Alongside the foreign ministry, other agencies present included Malaysia's Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART), police, chemistry department, Malaysian embassies in Nepal and Beijing, China, and the national registration department (JPN). Each agency presented updates on matters within their respective domains during the closed-door meeting, which lasted from 10:15 am to approximately 3 pm.
Counselors from the social welfare department (JKM) were also present to offer support to family members throughout the session. The foreign ministry emphasized the importance of respecting the privacy of the affected families and discouraging speculation about any individual whose status has yet to be confirmed.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
