An excavator helps people to collect some of their belongings from their house in the aftermath of flash floods at Trishuli, in Nepal’s Nuwakot district, on Aug. 29, 2026. Arun Sankar/AFP via Getty Images
Forty three Australians remain missing in the Nepal-Tibet flooding disaster as the government sends another $3 million (US$2.15 million) of aid to the disaster-struck region.
Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Matt Thistlethwaite confirmed the grim new figure in an interview on Aug. 31.
“Unfortunately, the number of Australians unaccounted for has risen to 43 overnight,” Thistlethwaite told ABC News.
But Thistlethwaite stressed the government had not given up hope they could rescue those Australians safe and well.
“We’ve got 12 additional consular staff that we’ve sent to the region to assist our post on the ground there to try and recover those Australians as quickly as possible,” he said.
“So, we’re doing everything we can, working around the clock to try and locate those missing Australians.”
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At least 800 people have died and over 3,000 are missing from the Nepal-Tibet flood disaster. More than 8,000 survivors have been brought to safety.
The flash flooding was triggered by a glacier collapse near the Himalayan border, with the disaster’s repair bill estimated at US$4 billion to US$5 billion.
$8 Million Total Support
Meanwhile, the Australian government has committed further humanitarian assistance to Nepal, taking the total support package to $8 million.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and International Development Minister Anne Aly said the Government of Nepal had requested emergency supplies including hygiene kits and solar lighting solutions.
Australia’s extra assistance includes $2 million for these supplies, along with further humanitarian support to be delivered by the Australian Defence Force.
The Australian public has responded with generosity to the Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) appeal, contributing $1.4 million in donations.
“In response, the Australian government will provide a further $1 million to the EAA appeal, bringing our contribution to $2 million,” the government said.
The ministers said the contribution would support Australian non-government organisation partners in recovery efforts in the area.
“We continue to engage with the government of Nepal and expect to provide additional support,” they said.
The Epoch Times has contacted the Foreign Affairs Department for comment.
