KUALA LUMPUR: Fifty-five Malaysians remain uncontactable following floods and landslides in Nepal and China, with efforts to establish their status ongoing, the Foreign Ministry said.
In a statement, Wisma Putra said the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), which returned from Nepal yesterday, would brief the ministry on its deployment and findings.
SMART conducted ground searches in accessible areas approved by Nepalese authorities, supported by aerial drone observations.
The information gathered will be reviewed by Wisma Putra and relevant Malaysian agencies to determine further action.
The ministry stressed that the end of SMART’s field deployment did not mean efforts to ascertain the Malaysians’ status had ended.
“The 55 Malaysians remain recorded as uncontactable while the relevant processes to establish the status of each individual continue,” it said.
Nepalese authorities are continuing search, verification and identification efforts following the disaster.
SMART also trained Nepalese rescue personnel in drone operations and handed over nine drones to the Nepal government through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
Malaysia’s follow-up efforts will continue through its embassy in Kathmandu, which will liaise with NDRRMA, hospitals and other relevant agencies.
In China, the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing will continue engaging Chinese authorities on Malaysians affected by the disaster and information that could help establish their status.
Wisma Putra said it remained in direct contact with the immediate next of kin and that any verified development would be conveyed to families before being announced publicly.
It urged the public and media to respect the families’ privacy and refrain from speculation until the status of those involved had been confirmed.
Further updates will be issued based on verified information received through official channels. – BERNAMA
