DJ Ella seeks news of her brother missing in Nepal as 33 Latvians remain unaccounted for

Singer Elīna Fūrmane, known as DJ Ella, has appealed for help on social media in her search for her brother, who went missing after devastating floods struck the Nepal–China border on August 26. She published the names and photos of missing Latvian travelers, asking anyone with information, video or photos to come forward. Fūrmane said there had been no news for several days about her brother, his wife, or other members of the "Yantra Group" who disappeared near the China–Nepal border. She called on Latvia's Foreign Ministry to do everything possible to help determine the fate of Latvian citizens.

Foreign Ministry update

The Foreign Ministry (ĀM) reported that three Latvian residents were not affected by the flood-triggered mudslide, while 33 people remain classified as missing — matching the list compiled by Nepal's Department of Tourism. News has also arrived of another Latvian traveler, who was part of an 80-person group from 19 countries and is safe, as well as another citizen found safe in Tibet.

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs expressed hope that some of the missing may have crossed into China shortly before the landslide and could be in a small mountain town near the border, though the lack of communications in the area means precise information is not yet available.

DNA sampling and identification efforts

The Foreign Ministry, working with the State Police, is organizing voluntary DNA sample collection from relatives of the missing, since identifying many recovered remains has become difficult due to their condition, and Nepalese authorities plan to bury them after collecting DNA samples. Similar samples will be taken from remains recovered from rivers in India. Rescue operations continue in the region, though the lack of phone and internet access is hampering efforts to gather information. The disaster is so far known to have killed at least 630 people, with around 3,000 still missing.