SHAH ALAM, Aug 29 - A total of 72 Malaysians stranded in Darchen, China, due to travel disruptions caused by devastating floods and landslides in Nepal have been confirmed safe and in good health.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Malaysian group was currently in touch with the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing, which was providing consular assistance including help for travel arrangements for them to leave the Tibet Autonomous Region.
“The Embassy is providing consular assistance, including support for their travel arrangements to leave the Tibet Autonomous Region, China,” it said in a media statement today, to update on the flooding situation in Rasuwa District, Nepal, and the status of Malaysians in affected areas.
Wisma Putra said it had expanded its consular response to include Malaysians stranded in China following travel disruptions arising from the floods and landslides in Nepal on August 26.
Separately, the ministry said it had received information from Chinese authorities and family members concerning 36 Malaysians who were currently reported as uncontactable in areas affected by telecommunications disruptions.
“The ministry is working closely with the Chinese authorities and family members to establish contact with the individuals concerned,” it said.
It added that the information was also being cross-checked against reports involving Malaysians in Nepal to identify any duplication as verification efforts continued.
In Nepal, 55 Malaysians remained reported as uncontactable, although two Malaysians previously reported as uncontactable had since been contacted.
“Verification of the remaining cases is ongoing,” the ministry said.
According to Wisma Putra, the Embassy of Malaysia in Kathmandu will continue to coordinate with Nepal’s Emergency Response Team, Nepal Tourism Board, travel agencies and relevant local authorities to establish the whereabouts and safety of Malaysians in the affected areas.
Search and rescue operations in Nepal are ongoing, with authorities also monitoring the risk of further water surges from China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
As of 5pm Nepal time (7.15pm Malaysian time) on August 28, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that 771 people had been rescued, including 116 foreign nationals.
However, based on the official list available at the time, no Malaysian had been identified among the foreign nationals rescued.
Wisma Putra said its Operations Room in Putrajaya had been operating around the clock since August 27 to coordinate information and assist Malaysians in the affected areas and their families.
The ministry also urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information while efforts to establish the safety and whereabouts of the Malaysians concerned remained ongoing.
“Further updates will be provided based on verified information received through official channels,” it said.
Malaysians in the affected areas, as well as family members with relevant information, can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Operations Room at +603 8887 4570 or via dutyofficer@kln.gov.my.
