Turkish tour guide missing in Nepal flood; 6 February earthquake aid work highlighted

The death toll from a flood in Nepal, caused by a glacial collapse, has risen to 676, with 1924 people still missing. Among those unaccounted for is Elena Öksüz, a Turkish tour guide who has not been heard from since August 26.

Öksüz, who holds dual citizenship, reportedly entered Nepal using a Russian passport to take advantage of visa exemptions. Selçuk Eracun, Chairman of the Istanbul Tour Guides Chamber, confirmed Öksüz's disappearance and stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been contacted and is monitoring the search efforts. Öksüz was last seen leaving her hotel during the disaster.

Infrastructure in the affected region, including telephone and transportation networks, has been severely damaged, leaving Öksüz's whereabouts uncertain. The floodwaters destroyed numerous bridges and heavily damaged roads and infrastructure facilities.

Notably, Öksüz's past actions have come to light following her disappearance. She had traveled to Hatay and Adıyaman after the February 6 Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, where she volunteered as an interpreter for foreign search and rescue teams. She helped facilitate communication between the teams and disaster victims during the debris removal efforts.

The Union of Turkish Tour Guides (TUREB) issued a statement expressing hope for Öksüz's safe return and confirmed they are in contact with her family and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Öksüz, who moved to Turkey from Russia in 2001, learned Turkish and became a citizen. She is fluent in four languages and has a passion for nature, mountain routes, and birdwatching, having previously visited Nepal and shared observations from areas like the Annapurna Conservation Area and Mardi Himal High Camp.

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We wish for the safe return of our colleague, who went to Adıyaman during the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake to provide translation services and rushed to help as soon as she heard about the earthquake, and we want to state that we are following the process.