In the mountainous regions of Nepal bordering Tibet, a large-scale search and rescue operation is underway after heavy monsoon rains triggered landslides, mudflows, and the destruction of road and telecommunications infrastructure. According to official data from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of Ukrainian citizens who have lost contact in the wake of the natural disaster has reached 56. Ukrainian consuls are in direct contact with local authorities, who are coordinating the evacuation and the search for the missing.
Cause of the Emergency and Scale of the Disaster
The disaster was triggered by prolonged monsoon rainfall, which caused landslides and mudflows in remote mountain valleys. Sections of roads and communication lines have been destroyed, including on popular trekking routes in the border zone between Nepal and Tibet. The severing of telephone and satellite lines has been the main reason why some tourists and local guides cannot be reached: there is no stable mobile or satellite coverage in the disaster zone.
What Is Known About the Status of the 56 Ukrainians
The diplomatic mission emphasizes that the status of "missing" in this context primarily means a loss of contact due to destroyed infrastructure, rather than a confirmed death. According to verified information, there are currently no Ukrainian citizens among those injured or killed as a result of the natural disaster. The change in the figures is explained by the refinement of consular lists: in addition to the initial group of compatriots who had not been in contact, several more people from a foreign tourist group were added, including a citizen who was in a high-mountain area.
Consular Work and Rescue Coordination
The Embassy of Ukraine in India, which is responsible for the consular district that includes Nepal, is in constant contact with the police, rescue services, and local tour operators. The Ukrainian side is coordinating efforts to search for and evacuate its citizens together with other countries whose citizens were also affected by the flooding. The Nepali army and police are continuing search and rescue operations, including the use of helicopter services to access isolated valleys.
What Relatives Should Do
Relatives of Ukrainian tourists who cannot reach their loved ones are advised to contact the consular service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ministry's hotline to file a search request. Diplomats process the appeals, verify the data with local authorities and tour operators, and inform families about the status of the search. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges citizens in Nepal to follow safety measures, avoid landslide zones, and keep their communication devices charged.
