77 pilgrims, 3 volunteers still unaccounted for after Nepal-Tibet floods: Isha Foundation

Bengaluru: The Isha Foundation said on Saturday that 77 participants of the Kailash Manasarovar sojourn and three volunteers remain still unaccounted for, two weeks after flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border.

Bengaluru: The Isha Foundation said on Saturday that 77 participants of the Kailash Manasarovar sojourn and three volunteers remain still unaccounted for, two weeks after flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border.

In an update, the foundation said the number of unaccounted persons remains unchanged from its previous update and that authorities have indicated identification work at the site is still underway.

"Given the conditions, identification work may take considerable time," the foundation said, adding that it remains committed to assisting the authorities in the process and would provide support as required.

The Isha Foundation said its priority was to support the families affected by the disaster and provide them with verified information as soon as it becomes available.

The foundation added that it remains in regular contact with Chinese, Indian and Nepali authorities as well as the relevant embassies of 19 countries in India, Nepal and China.

Its teams are following up through official channels to obtain information about the affected individuals, understand official procedures and ensure information received through government and consular channels reaches the families.

Identification details, photographs and other relevant information have also been shared with authorities and search-and-rescue teams wherever appropriate to assist identification and search efforts. Isha volunteers have also been in touch with agencies, including the US State Department and Global Affairs Canada to seek updates from the Chinese government.

The foundation said that information about processes communicated by Chinese authorities to families of one nationality was also shared with other governments so they could seek similar information for their nationals.

The foundation said any information that can appropriately be released would first be communicated to the affected families and made public only where legally, ethically and appropriately possible.

It also added that it would protect the anonymity and privacy of affected families and volunteers and would not release their names, photographs or personal information publicly or to media organisations.

Regarding access to the disaster site, the foundation said that access to Gyirong Port on the Chinese side of the Nepal-Tibet border remains restricted by Chinese authorities for forensic and rescue purposes.

"No private individuals or organisations have been allowed near the site," it added.

Isha volunteers had been stationed in Gyirong Town to obtain updates on relief operations but were later asked by Chinese authorities to leave the area along with other non-official personnel.