Number of missing Ukrainians in Nepal disaster rises to 64

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that the number of Ukrainian citizens missing in the natural disaster zone in Nepal has grown from 56 to 64. There is currently no information about any Ukrainians among the dead or injured.

The ministry said a group of consular officials from Ukraine's embassy in India is now present directly in Nepal. Ukrainian diplomats are maintaining contact with local authorities, rescue services, tour operators and relatives of the missing.

Search operations continue daily

Search and rescue operations are being carried out every day, though they are hampered by fog, extensive road damage and the risk of repeated landslides. More than 2,000 people and over 300 pieces of equipment have been involved in the search.

At the initiative of the Ukrainian embassy, requests were also sent via Interpol to the company operating geolocation devices that some of the Ukrainians were carrying. Data on the devices' last recorded coordinates before the disaster has been obtained, and the company is trying to determine their current location.

The disaster occurred after a sudden flood and mudslide struck the border area between Nepal and Tibet. According to preliminary information, the flood may have been triggered by an earthquake that caused an avalanche, after which meltwater flowed into the Bhote Koshi river.