No Latvian citizens among Nepal flood survivors, ministry reports

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Latvia has reported that no Latvian citizens are currently listed among the survivors of a recent natural disaster in Nepal. The Nepal Department of Tourism has identified 29 Latvian citizens as missing following the catastrophe.

Communication in the affected region remains challenging, with no phone service or internet access. This has complicated efforts to account for all Latvian nationals in the area. The ministry is working with various international bodies, including the European External Action Service and the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to ascertain the status of its citizens.

Latvia's honorary consul in Nepal is in contact with Nepalese authorities to correct and update the official lists of missing and found persons. The ministry has submitted a list of 33 Latvian nationals unaccounted for to the Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other diplomatic channels. Families of missing persons in Latvia are being asked to voluntarily provide DNA samples to the State Police's Forensic Department to aid in potential identification.

Nepalese rescue services have published names of survivors, but no Latvians are among them. The situation is further complicated by the condition of deceased individuals, making identification difficult. Nepalese authorities have decided to bury unidentified remains after collecting DNA samples, citing risks of infection and epidemics. The process of DNA collection and identification is ongoing.

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No Latvian nationals are currently listed among the published names of survivors.