The 33 missing Latvian nationals were most likely in Tibet at the time of the disaster - Foreign Ministry

RIGA - Chinese authorities have officially confirmed that all 33 missing Latvian nationals were in China, and they have no information indicating that the travelers crossed the border back into Nepal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) informed LETA.

Consequently, according to the MFA, the Latvian nationals were most likely on the Tibetan side during the catastrophic floods and mudslides in the Himalayas. Chinese authorities have also asked Latvia to send DNA samples for comparison.

Previous reports indicated that the travelers' belongings were found on the Chinese side near the border crossing. The MFA is currently clarifying whether these items will be photographed and whether the images will be made available for identification purposes. Meanwhile, Red Cross DNA experts are expected to arrive in Nepal this week to speed up and facilitate the comparison of samples.

Jurgis Barkans, a representative of the MFA Consular Department in Nepal, is also currently looking for options for transporting the travelers' belongings - which were left behind in hotels - to Latvia. The MFA notes that the first step is to assess the volume of belongings and determine whether they can be identified, so that arrangements can then be made with shipping companies to transport them to Latvia.

The MFA emphasized that not all relatives have received or fully understood the information sent last week regarding the necessary steps and procedures. A detailed explanation has been sent to relatives, compiling information from the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry of Justice, the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, and the Ministry of Education and Science. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Justice will hold a meeting with family members to explain the information that was sent and answer their questions.

The MFA also encourages relatives who are not currently on the ministry's contact list but believe they should receive this information directly to get in touch. The MFA emphasized that it is currently important for all relatives to receive a notice regarding the traveler's status as a missing person. Latvian nationals have been placed on an international search list, and the relevant notification is necessary for relatives to complete other formalities.

The Office of the President has also asked the MFA to contact the Ombudsman, who is prepared, to the extent possible, to advise both the ministry and the relatives of the missing persons. Information about this option has been sent to relatives.

As reported, on August 26, a glacier collapsed, triggering a flow of ice debris and resulting in a flood of water and mud from a glacial lake, causing widespread damage in Nepal and China. By September 3, 1,252 people had been confirmed dead in the natural disaster, while approximately 4,216 were missing.

A large group of Latvian tourists, organized by yoga enthusiasts from the company Yantra, was also near the epicenter of the disaster, while a smaller number of Latvian tourists were in the disaster zone as part of a group organized by the local company Mighty Himalayan Trek. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has information that three Latvian citizens who were in the region at the time were not affected by the flood-induced mudslide in Nepal, but 33 are currently considered missing.