At least 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries remain missing after Nepal floods

At least 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries remain missing after a major flood swept through northern and central Nepal on Aug. 26, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said 323 foreign nationals had been rescued. It has established an emergency control room to coordinate with relevant agencies and the families of missing people, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lok Bahadur Chhetri Poudel said at a news conference.

Nepal’s latest count added 115 deaths and more than 1,700 missing people. Across Nepal and Tibet, the disaster has now left 919 people dead and 4,793 unaccounted for.

With morgues overflowing, 18 Indian forensic specialists trained in DNA analysis have travelled to Nepal to help identify victims. Nepal is also coordinating the deployment of an expert team from Singapore.

The government has asked the United States for refrigerated containers to preserve bodies, and China and Singapore for DNA testing kits, heavy-duty drones and other essential non-food supplies. India, China, Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea have already provided bridge-building structures, generators, solar equipment, tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packages and medicines. Additional support is being arranged from Myanmar, Qatar, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and United Nations organisations.

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An emergency control room has been established at the ministry to coordinate actions with the relevant agencies and the families of missing people.