Latvia offers Nepal assistance following deadly flood disaster
Latvia's government has offered assistance to Nepal in connection with last week's natural disaster, though no specific request has been received yet. Thirty-three Latvian nationals remain missing in Nepal.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs told reporters after meeting with President Edgars Rinkēvičs that Latvia has offered its assistance to Nepal in relation to the tragedy that occurred a week earlier, but no specific request has yet been received from the Nepalese side. Kulbergs did not specify what kind of assistance was offered.
According to the prime minister, hopes of finding the missing Latvian travelers alive are slim, as search efforts are severely hampered by Nepal's ongoing rainy season. He stressed that the state will do everything possible to support the relatives of those affected who remain in Latvia.
Consular representative on the ground
A representative of the Foreign Ministry's Consular Department is already working in Nepal, helping maintain contact with Nepalese authorities. Should the bodies of any Latvian nationals be found, the representative will help arrange their transport back to Latvia, with relatives being informed of further steps. Latvia's honorary consul is also maintaining active communication with local authorities. Thirty-one closest blood relatives have already submitted DNA samples to assist with identification.
Kulbergs noted that some foreign tourists may have ended up on the Chinese side of the border during the disaster, but no response has yet been received from Chinese authorities. Rinkēvičs acknowledged that the situation in Nepal is very difficult and that rescue operations there are far more complicated than they would be in Europe.
Warning about scammers
This week Latvia's State Police reported cases of scammers attempting to defraud relatives of Latvians missing in Nepal. Rinkēvičs expressed hope that those responsible would be detained and face the harshest penalties available under criminal law, while Kulbergs urged residents to remain vigilant, noting that scammers exploit any disaster for personal gain.
The disaster began on August 26, when a glacier collapse triggered a flow of ice, water and mud in Nepal and China, causing widespread destruction. By the morning of August 31, at least 900 people were confirmed dead and around 4,200 remained missing. A large group of Latvian tourists organized by the yoga community "Yantra" was near the epicenter, along with a smaller group traveling with local operator "Mighty Himalayan Trek". Three Latvian nationals in the region at the time are known to be unharmed, while 33 are still considered missing.
