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53 Ukrainians Missing in Nepal as Devastating Flash Flood Sweeps Through Himalayan Trekking Trails
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A total of 53 Ukrainian citizens are reported missing following severe flooding in Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine told Ukrainska Pravda.
The situation emerged on the morning of August 26, when authorities initially lost contact with an organized tour group of 46 Ukrainians, before the number of unaccounted citizens in the disaster zone rose to 53.
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Additionally, eight relatives have contacted the ministry's emergency hotline to report lost communication with family members included on the missing list.
Following direct instructions from Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian diplomatic missions launched extensive search efforts to locate the citizens.
"The Embassies of Ukraine in India and China are in contact with the competent authorities of the host countries regarding search operations that may reveal the location of Ukrainian citizens. As of now, there is no information on the presence of Ukrainian citizens among the dead or injured," the ministry stated.
The Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Nepal has also joined the local coordination response. Ukrainian diplomats alongside the Department of Consular Service continue to gather information and work with international emergency agencies to re-establish contact with the tourists and support their families.
The catastrophic flash flood has claimed at least 95 lives across Nepal and neighboring Tibet, while at least 579 international tourists remain missing across the affected areas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine initially received inquiries regarding two Ukrainians located in the region who may have been impacted.
Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal noted that the sudden flood may have been triggered by an earthquake, which caused a landslide into a river valley.
The minister added that China suffered immense damage as powerful flows of water and mud destroyed bridges, roads, a hydroelectric power station, power transmission lines, and residential homes.
Search and rescue operations using helicopters and drones are underway to locate more than 500 missing tourists and pilgrims from 26 countries traveling toward Mount Kailash, though efforts remain heavily hindered by damaged infrastructure and widespread communication outages.
On July 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered to send specialists to help France battle massive wildfires that had burned across the country's southwestern regions for several days.
During a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine was always ready to assist its allies, even while continuing to fight Russian aggression. The catastrophic blazes had already destroyed tens of thousands of hectares, forced widespread evacuations, and reportedly approached strategic industrial facilities producing rocket engines, missile components, and Rafale fighter jets.
Additionally, both leaders discussed diplomatic next steps following Zelenskyy's visit to Washington, as well as joint preparations for the upcoming winter, including air defense supplies and energy equipment.
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