PUTRAJAYA, Oct 3 — A Malaysian previously reported as uncontactable following floods and landslides in Nepal has returned safely to Malaysia, while 54 Malaysians remain uncontactable.
In a statement issued today, the Foreign Ministry said the Malaysian had presented himself at the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu on Thursday 1, where his identity was verified and he was declared safe.
He arrived in Malaysia yesterday.
“With his status now confirmed, the ministry’s record stands at 54 Malaysians reported as uncontactable.
“The ministry will continue to verify each case separately based on information obtained through the authorities and available channels,” the statement read.
Wisma Putra said local authorities will have the previously missing Malaysian undergo a health screening and give a statement to close his case.
The Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu is conducting further verification with Nepalese authorities and reviewing records in light of the development.
Wisma Putra said it would not disclose personal details of the citizen who returned.
Meanwhile, the ministry said it would keep monitoring developments in Nepal after an announcement by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority on Wednesday that rescue operations have ended to give way for recovery efforts.
“This transition does not end Malaysia’s effort to verify the status of all 54 Malaysians reported as uncontactable,” it said.
It added that verified developments about individual cases would be channelled to their immediate next-of-kin, and urged the public and media to respect the families’ privacy and refrain from speculating over cases.
Flash floods and landslides struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district and its border area with Tibet on August 26 after heavy rain and glacier collapses along the Bhote Koshi River.
The disaster caused widespread damage to roads, communication networks, and other infrastructure, cutting off several areas and hampering search operations. Power and telecommunications disruptions also made it difficult to contact people in those areas.
