Three Latvian nationals safe in Nepal, but 33 still considered missing - Foreign Ministry

RIGA - Three Latvian nationals have not been impacted by the flood-induced mudslide in Nepal, but 33 are currently considered missing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) informed LETA.

The ministry currently has no information regarding any rescued Latvian nationals.

The Nepalese Department of Tourism has updated the list of persons considered missing, and it currently includes all 33 Latvian nationals whose relatives have reported them to the Consular Department.

Incorrect information was provided for one person; this has been reported to the Honorary Consul in Nepal.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that on August 29, information was received from the embassy in China regarding another Latvian traveler who is safe. This person had been traveling as part of a group of 80 people from 19 countries. Consequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently has information regarding three Latvian nationals who were not affected by the mudslide caused by the floods in Nepal.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) noted on social media that there is still hope of finding the missing alive. "There are reports that a group of people managed to cross the border into China shortly before the devastating landslide. There is currently no communication in that area, so there is no precise information yet about the people in the group," the prime minister said.

Kulbergs informs that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also in contact with the Chinese side. "A group of foreigners is believed to be in a small mountain town approximately a 45-minute drive from the border. We have asked the Chinese side to determine the names of these people as soon as possible. There is hope that Latvian nationals may also be among them," Kulbergs wrote.

Latvia’s honorary consul in Nepal continues to communicate actively with local authorities and provides up-to-date information to the duty officer at the Consular Department. Upon receiving information from the Honorary Consul regarding the possibility of providing DNA samples from the relatives of the missing persons to the Nepalese authorities, the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the State Police, sent information to the relatives explaining how and where they could voluntarily provide DNA samples.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received information that the bodies of the deceased are also being found in Indian rivers, and DNA samples will also be taken from the remains recovered from those rivers. A list of 33 missing persons has been sent to the Honorary Consul, and the consul will determine which agency in India will compile the information, similar to the Tourism Department in Nepal.