Families of 55 Malaysians who remain missing following the glacial flash flood in Nepal arrived at Wisma Putra this morning for a briefing on the latest search efforts and the status of their loved ones.
The closed-door meeting, which began after 9am, is expected to provide updates on search operations and the verification and identification of victims more than a month after the Aug 26 incident.
Representatives from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Department of Chemistry Malaysia, National Registration Department (JPN) and Social Welfare Department (JKM) are expected to attend the session.
The meeting is the second official engagement between the government and the affected families, following the initial briefing at Wisma Putra on Aug 30, when DNA samples were also collected to assist in identifying bodies recovered in Nepal.
A SMART team comprising 11 personnel was deployed to Nepal on Sept 5 to conduct ground searches and drone surveillance in areas approved and deemed safe by Nepalese authorities. The team returned to Malaysia on Sept 14.
Wisma Putra previously said the team’s return did not mean efforts to determine the status of the 55 Malaysians had ended, as Nepalese authorities continued search, verification and identification operations while Malaysia pursued diplomatic efforts with the relevant authorities.
On Sept 22, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim conveyed the concerns and hopes of the families to Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah and raised the need for a formal mechanism to assist them should the Malaysians remain unaccounted for.
The Aug 26 floods and debris flows, triggered by an ice and rock collapse in the upper Lhende Khola catchment area in Tibet, reportedly claimed more than 1,450 lives, while thousands remain missing.
