{
  "id": 7135367,
  "title": "77 pilgrims, 3 volunteers still unaccounted for after Nepal-Tibet floods: Isha Foundation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/77-pilgrims-3-volunteers-still-unaccounted-for-after-nepal-tibet",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T16:27:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/thepost/news/2026-09-13-77-pilgrims-3-volunteers-still-unaccounted-for-after-nepal-tibet-floods-isha-foundation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two weeks after flash floods ravaged the Nepal-Tibet border, the Isha Foundation reports that 77 Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage participants and three volunteers remain unaccounted for, a figure that hasn't changed since their last update. Identification work at the site continues, but given the challenging conditions, it may take considerable time. The foundation remains committed to supporting affected families and providing them with verified information as soon as it becomes available. They are in regular communication with Chinese, Indian, and Nepali authorities, as well as the embassies of 19 countries in India, Nepal, and China. The foundation has shared identification details, photographs, and other relevant information with authorities and search-and-rescue teams to aid in identification and search efforts. Access to the disaster site remains restricted by both Chinese and Nepali authorities, with no private individuals or organizations allowed near the area. Isha volunteers, stationed in Gyirong Town, had been gathering updates on relief operations but were asked to leave by Chinese authorities. In Nepal, around 25 Nepali volunteers have been deployed to assist with ground coordination, utilizing their language skills to communicate with various local authorities. Through their volunteer network, the foundation has established contact with the Nepali Army and is regularly monitoring government and police sources for updates on rescue operations and identification. They have personally visited hospitals, mortuaries, and the DNA center to gather information about the missing individuals, coordinating with respective consular services to understand differing DNA identification procedures. The foundation is responding to queries through a hotline operating across eight countries, aiming to provide information within 24 hours. They are also assisting families with practical matters, such as arranging the shipment of belongings left behind by participants in Kathmandu. The foundation expresses gratitude to emergency workers, embassies, diplomats, government authorities, police, search-and-rescue teams, and forensic teams involved in the ongoing operation, and promises to continue following up with local authorities and emergency services.",
  "summary": "Two weeks after flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border, the Isha Foundation says 77 Kailash Manasarovar participants and three volunteers remain unaccounted for, while authorities continue identification work.",
  "key_points": [
    "77 Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims and 3 volunteers unaccounted for after Nepal-Tibet floods.",
    "Isha Foundation continues identification work, faces challenging conditions.",
    "Foundation in contact with authorities, providing updates through hotline."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}