Missing Australian tourists in Nepal rise to 39
The number of missing Australians in Nepal has risen to 39 after the flash floods that devastated the region last week.
Missing Australians count rises
Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong announced on Friday that the tally increased from the previously reported 35. “We understand at least 39 Australians are among those reported missing,” she said, adding that officials are working urgently to confirm welfare and provide assistance.
The four additional travelers were part of separate groups: the Himalayan Glacier Adventures tour and Kathmandu Holiday Tours and Travel. Both tours had been operating independently when the floods struck.
Overall, more than 1,300 people remain unaccounted for, including 667 foreigners. The death toll has climbed to 389, according to local authorities.
Children between 11 and 14 were among the 15 Australians on a Himalayan Glacier tour when the waters surged, the tour operator’s founder Sagar Pandey confirmed. He flew by helicopter to the affected zone, but the aircraft was not allowed to land.
Rescue teams face blocked roads, damaged bridges and the threat of a second surge from a blockage still lodged upstream. Experts warn that the lingering debris could trigger additional flooding.
Rescue and aid operations
The Australian government is rapidly mobilising consular and humanitarian support, including a $5 million assistance package for communities along the Nepal‑China border.
Officials advise citizens to consult the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Smartraveller advisory for the latest updates.
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Local tour operators and agents with clients in the region are urged to maintain direct contact with on‑ground partners.
The Nepal Tourism Board has warned that many of the missing are likely tourists in Langtang National Park or pilgrims heading to Mount Kailash in Tibet.
Travelers should avoid flood‑affected zones, monitor local media and follow instructions from authorities. Transport services may be disrupted; checking schedules with airlines or bus operators is recommended.
In the midst of the chaos, the situation feels like a mess, frankly, as coordination between helicopter crews and ground teams remains limited.
Intrepid has launched a fundraising appeal.
The drive will support relief efforts in Nepal and channel contributions to on‑the‑ground NGOs.
Emergency consular assistance can be reached at the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu (+977 1 437 1678) or the Consular Emergency Centre (+61 2 6261 3305 overseas, 1300 555 135 in Australia).
While the government continues to advise a high degree of caution, the reality on the ground suggests that more Australians could still be missing, and families remain in a painful wait for answers.
