Rescue ops underway for 200 Indians ‘trapped’ in Tibet border region: Foreign Ministry
New Delhi, August 27: At least 288 Indian nationals in Nepal are out of contact due to the massive disaster that struck Rasuwa district, bordering Tibet, on Wednesday. Indian embassies in Kathmandu and Beijing are actively working to safely evacuate around 200 Indians stranded inside the Chinese border while on a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.
The External Affairs Ministry (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal gave this information at a special press conference organized to brief Nepal on the disaster relief and rescue operations. Giving details of the out of contact, the spokesperson said that there are five major groups who have not been contacted. These groups include a total of 288 Indians. These include 73 Indians working in the Trishuli 1 power project and tourists who had come in groups from different states of the country. Apart from this, till 1:00 pm today, 21 Indian citizens have been successfully evacuated safely.
The MEA spokesperson gave this information in a special press conference today. He said that five large groups of Indians are currently uncontactable. These include 73 Indians working in the Trishuli 1 Power Project. The spokesperson said that the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu is in touch with the project head to get more details about these people. Communication lines in the area are completely disrupted, due to which it has been difficult to contact people on the ground.
He said, “As you know, communication lines in the area are completely disrupted, making it difficult to contact people on the ground.
Two separate groups of 37 and 49 Tamil Nadu nationals had gone on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through two different travel agents, Samrat and Fly Everest Travels.
A group of 32 Indian nationals from West Bengal was in Timure, Rasuwa district (where the accident occurred), with the help of Samrat Travels.
Additionally, a group of 61 Indian nationals from various states were traveling through Richa Tours. Similarly, a group of 33 Indian nationals from Kerala is also missing.
These are five major groups, which together account for approximately 288 people who have not been contacted.”
The spokesperson added, “We are making every effort to reach our people through the Nepalese authorities. We will receive further updates on this matter and will try to inform you as soon as possible.”
The spokesperson said that as of 1:00 pm on Thursday, 21 Indian nationals had been safely evacuated. This group of 21 people is from Tamil Nadu. The Indian Embassy and Ambassador in Kathmandu have spoken to the group and assured them of all possible assistance. They are arriving in Kathmandu, and arrangements will be made for their return home as soon as possible. To reassure their families, the Ministry of External Affairs has released their list.
He said that in addition, approximately 200 Indian pilgrims on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are stranded. Of these, approximately 95 are at Darchen, the base camp of Mount Kailash, and are attempting to return via Hilsa in Nepal. Around 20 people are stranded in Jilang and Juturpuk, and approximately 60-70 in Saga. The Indian embassies in Beijing and Kathmandu are working with the governments of China and Nepal to ensure their safe return.
Providing details of the relief operations, the spokesperson said that two aircraft have sent 47.5 tons of relief and rescue material. An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft arrived at 8:30 pm on Wednesday carrying 10 tons of supplies, and a C-17 Hercules aircraft arrived today carrying 37.5 tons of supplies. Additionally, preparations are underway to provide a Bailey bridge to cross the river at the site of the accident. He added that India is prepared to send further assistance as requested by the Nepal government.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah yesterday. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and has offered all possible humanitarian assistance.
