Latvian travellers unaccounted for after Nepal flash floods
Latvian authorities are working to establish the whereabouts of dozens of Latvian nationals in Nepal following devastating flash floods that have killed hundreds and left many more missing. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said it has received information from relatives about at least 15 Latvian travellers who currently cannot be contacted, as reported by Baltic News Network and LSM.
The MFA's Consular Department has compiled information from various sources, including family members and friends, concerning 39 tourists from Latvia who are in Nepal. Of these, 34 are Latvian nationals travelling as part of two tourist groups, the ministry said. Relatives have informed the Consular Department about 28 people they have been unable to contact since the disaster occurred.
The emergency hotline of the Consular Department began receiving calls on the evening of 26 August from relatives unable to reach family members and friends in Nepal, according to the MFA. The ministry said it lacks the exact number of Latvian tourists in the country or their planned itineraries because the groups had not registered with Latvia's Consular Register. Only one individual traveller had registered, and that person has been contacted and is safe.
Official lists and consular response
The Nepal Tourism Department has published information identifying six Latvian citizens as missing, and the Consular Department has informed the relatives of these individuals. The list is expected to be updated in the near future, according to the MFA.
Latvia's Honorary Consul in Nepal has provided Nepalese authorities with a list of Latvian nationals and has also met with the country's Minister of Home Affairs. There is currently no information indicating that any Latvian nationals have been injured, the MFA said. The Honorary Consul remains in active contact with local authorities to obtain further information, and the Latvian Embassy in China is also communicating with local institutions and monitoring the latest developments.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said on Latvian Radio's 'Labrīt' programme on Friday morning: "Of course, the situation is worrying, we are very aware of that. We are trying to help with information as much as we have. We are in contact with the European Union representation on the ground, and our honorary consul in Nepal, of course, maintains the most direct contacts with both the police and rescue authorities."
Braže indicated that no repatriation flights are planned for now, as the assessment of the consequences of the disaster and the search for people are still ongoing. "Consular meetings are also still taking place at European missions and ambassadors on the ground. The situation is complicated because there are many missing people," she said.
Rescue operations and international support
Intensive rescue and search operations are continuing on the Nepalese side of the border, where the floods caused the most damage. More than 48 hours have passed since the mudslide caused by a glacier landslide, but services are still struggling to reach the most remote settlements that have been left without communication with the outside world, as reported by LSM.
The European Union has activated its Copernicus satellite system to help Nepal's emergency services with search and rescue efforts, and the bloc said it was ready to provide more assistance if needed. Nepal and China have warned of more flooding as two huge lakes have formed on either side of the border, blocking mountain rivers. The lakes are filling up rapidly, raising fears they could overflow and inundate large areas.
Rescue operations are continuing in the region, which remains without telephone or internet access, according to the MFA. Those rescued are being gathered in Nuwakot, a neighbouring province. Registration of the rescued and publication of their names are expected to begin within the next two days, the MFA said. Rescue services have published the names of people who have been rescued, but so far no Latvian nationals appear on the lists.
Nepalese police have also created a public online portal to help families identify unidentified individuals, providing lists of missing and located persons. Information about the portal has been sent to relatives, the MFA said.
Casualty figures reported
Police have reported at least 469 people killed in flash floods triggered by a glacier collapse in Nepal, with more than 1,400 people, including hundreds of foreign tourists, remaining missing, as cited by Baltic News Network. Another report from the same outlet, citing officials on Thursday, said at least 162 people had been killed and 823 more, including at least 579 tourists — both Nepalese and foreign nationals — were reported missing.