No confirmed Malaysian casualties in Nepal floods, says Wisma Putra

 The foreign ministry says its embassy in Kathmandu is working with Nepalese authorities to establish the whereabouts of Malaysians affected by the floods.

At least 332 people were killed in devastating floods after the Bhote Koshi River overflowed in Nepal’s Rasuwa district yesterday. (EPA Images pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Wisma Putra says it has yet to receive any official confirmation on the possibility of casualties among the 55 Malaysians who are uncontactable since flash floods hit Nepal’s Rasuwa district.

The foreign ministry said it was aware of unverified information circulating on social media and through other unofficial channels.

“The ministry, through the Malaysian embassy in Kathmandu, is urgently seeking confirmation from the Nepalese authorities.

“At this stage, the ministry has not received any official confirmation of Malaysian casualties,” it said in a statement.

It also urged the public not to speculate or share unverified information and called on the media not to publish or amplify such reports.

“Unverified information may cause unnecessary alarm and distress to the families involved,” it said, urging all parties to wait for official updates and respect the privacy of the affected families.

It said the Malaysian embassy in Kathmandu remained in close communication with Nepalese authorities, search and rescue teams, the Nepal Tourism Board, travel agencies and major hospitals in Kathmandu to establish the safety and whereabouts of the Malaysians.

Consular officers at Malaysia’s high commission in New Delhi and the embassy in Beijing are engaging with the relevant authorities in their respective countries.

Earlier today, it was reported that 55 Malaysians remained uncontactable after flash floods hit Rasuwa yesterday.

They included two fire and rescue department officers and 17 Malaysians travelling to Tibet for a pilgrimage.

At least 332 people have been killed after the Bhote Koshi River overflowed in Nepal’s Rasuwa district yesterday, the Kathmandu Post reported.

More than 820 others, including hundreds of foreign tourists, remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue.

Authorities have set up desks at the hospital to record details of the missing and posted lists of those admitted, along with photographs of the dead, to help families locate their relatives, reported Bernama. - FMT