{
  "id": 5031267,
  "title": "38 Malaysian pilgrims return safely after Nepal border disruption",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/38-malaysian-pilgrims-return-safely-after-nepal-border-disruption",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T05:57:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1524154/38-malaysian-pilgrims-return-safely-after-nepal-border-disruption"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Thirty-eight Malaysian pilgrims who embarked on a trip to Mount Kailash in Tibet returned home safely on August 31 after severe flooding disrupted their journey at the Nepal-China border. President of Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia and a group member, R. Kalaivanan, expressed gratitude for their safe return while acknowledging the loss and suffering of others affected by the disaster. Kalaivanan emphasized that they would not forget the victims, injured, and missing individuals due to the flooding.\n\nThe pilgrims were not among the 51 Malaysians reported missing, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. Chinese state media reported three Malaysians missing in Tibet. The group initially arrived in Kathmandu on August 15, then traveled overland to the Rasuwa border before entering Tibet for the pilgrimage to Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash. However, severe flooding struck the Nepal-China border region on August 26, causing significant damage and disruption to the planned route.\n\nThe pilgrims faced challenging mountainous terrain and landslide-affected roads while attempting to return to Nepal. Despite the adversity, they successfully crossed into Nepal with the help of experienced disaster response teams. The group ultimately chose to travel across Tibet towards the Tatopani-Kodari border to re-enter Nepal, a route also impacted by monsoon landslides and road damage. After arriving in Kathmandu, they received assistance from the Malaysian Embassy in Nepal before departing for Kuala Lumpur, where all pilgrims landed safely at KLIA.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty-eight Malaysian pilgrims who were in Tibet for a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash when severe flooding struck the Nepal-China border region returned safely home on Aug 31.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Flood-hit Nepal urges tourists to return: ‘our mountain trails are waiting for you’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/flood-hit-nepal-urges-tourists-to-return-our-mountain-trails-are",
        "published": "2026-09-02T05:05:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}