Family of Perth man missing in Nepal holds out hope for 'miracle'
The family of Luke Costanzo, a 30-year-old Australian from Perth, says they are hoping for a "miracle" that he will be found alive and well, as the search continues after catastrophic flooding swept through the Nepal-Tibet border region.
Mr Costanzo, 30, was visiting Mount Kailash on a pilgrimage trek with the non-profit, spiritual Isha Foundation. According to his family, who released a statement on Tuesday, he remains one of the Australians still unaccounted for after the disaster. The family said they last heard from Mr Costanzo from the Gyirong port border crossing, when his group was making its way back to Kathmandu on the final day of their journey.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share our dear son and brother, Luke Costanzo, is one of the Australians still unaccounted for in Nepal following the flooding disaster last week," they said. "Luke is an extremely strong, compassionate, disciplined and spiritual person. Once he makes a decision, he commits to it fully, and he was so excited to be visiting Mount Kailash on a pilgrimage trek."
The family described the situation as "unimaginably difficult" and asked the media to respect their privacy during this time. They expressed gratitude for the love and support they have received and asked everyone to keep Mr Costanzo and all those affected in their thoughts and prayers. "We can do nothing but continue hoping for a miracle that Luke, and the others who remain missing, are found alive and well," they said. For those wishing to help, the family suggested donating to aid rescue efforts, describing those on the ground as "wonderful people" who continue their work.
Scale of the disaster
So far, more than 1,000 people have died, and about 4,400 people remain unaccounted for after the area was hit by a landslide and flash flooding, as reported by multiple sources. Among those reported missing are 42 Australians, according to a statement from the Costanzo family cited by PerthNow. Mr Costanzo is understood to be the only person missing from Western Australia at this stage.
The first Australian death in the flooding disaster was confirmed, with NSW man Michael Keats identified as a victim. Mr Keats, from Mollymook on the NSW south coast, had reached Gyirong port with his Mount Kailash travel group about 10 minutes before floodwaters swept through the area, as reported by PerthNow. His family initially believed he had escaped the disaster before learning he was unaccounted for.
Mr Keats' partner, Emily Boyd, said in a GoFundMe appeal that his loss has changed everything for both her and her young son, according to PerthNow. She described Mr Keats as a deeply loved member of her family and the only father her young son had known.
Both Mr Costanzo and Mr Keats were on spiritual pilgrimages to Mount Kailash with the Isha Foundation, as reported by PerthNow and ABC Australia.