Elation as eighth missing Australian is found alive following Nepal flood disaster – as Newcastle father-of-two details tireless search for his wife
An eighth Australian previously listed as missing after devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has been confirmed safe, reducing the number of unaccounted-for Australians from 36 to 35. The individual, who was uncontactable but not in the disaster zone, reported being well and did not need consular assistance. The Australian government has deployed a disaster assistance response team to Kathmandu and pledged AU$11 million towards relief efforts, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called nationally significant.
Among those still missing is Reshma Patel, a Sydney council worker whose husband, Newcastle father-of-two Bhavin Patel, has travelled to Nepal to search for her himself, chartering a helicopter and tracking her phone signal to the site of an immigration building destroyed by the floods on 26 August. He has been unable to land at the site due to dangerous terrain and says a lack of information, particularly from Chinese-controlled Tibet, is hampering his efforts, prompting calls for Canberra to press Beijing for greater cooperation. Nearly 1,400 people have died and more than 5,000 remain missing across Nepal overall, with affected Australian families publicly criticising their government for insufficient answers despite gratitude for search efforts.
- Eighth missing Australian confirmed safe; 35 still unaccounted for
- Newcastle man Bhavin Patel searching Nepal himself for missing wife Reshma
- Nearly 1,400 dead, 5,000+ missing nationwide; Australia has pledged $11m