The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continuing efforts to establish the safety and whereabouts of Malaysians affected by the floods and landslides in Nepal and related travel disruptions in China, with 72 Malaysians in Darchen, China, confirmed safe and in good health.
The ministry said the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing remains in contact with the group and is providing consular assistance, including support for arrangements to leave the Tibet Autonomous Region.
While the group has been accounted for, the ministry said 36 other Malaysians in China have been reported as uncontactable in areas affected by telecommunications disruptions.
It said efforts were ongoing to establish contact with them in coordination with Chinese authorities and their families. Aside from this, the information was also being cross-checked against reports involving Malaysians in Nepal to rule out possible duplication.
In Nepal, 55 Malaysians remain reported as uncontactable, although two previously listed as uncontactable have since been contacted. Verification of the remaining cases is continuing.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu is coordinating with Nepal’s Emergency Response Team, the Nepal Tourism Board, travel agencies and relevant local authorities as search and rescue operations continue.
The ministry said authorities were also monitoring the risk of further water surges from the Tibet Autonomous Region.
As at 5 pm Nepal time (7.15 pm Malaysia time) on Aug 28, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that 771 people, including 116 foreign nationals, had been rescued. Based on the official list available so far, no Malaysian has been identified among those rescued.
To support the ongoing response, the ministry’s Operations Room in Putrajaya has been operating around the clock since Aug 27 to coordinate information and assist Malaysians in affected areas and their families.
The ministry urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information while efforts to establish the safety and whereabouts of the Malaysians concerned continue.
Malaysians in the affected areas and family members with relevant information can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Operations Room at +603 8887 4570 or [email protected].
Further updates will be issued based on verified information received through official channels.
