As many as 275 Indian nationals remain missing following the devastating flash floods in Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday, adding that an Indian forensic team is working with Nepalese experts to identify victims.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said an Indian forensic team is working in Kathmandu alongside its Nepalese counterparts across several laboratories.
He said the team has been working on around 3,000 samples and has so far generated 1,200 DNA profiles as part of the identification process.
“On the missing Indian nationals, we await to hear from Nepali authorities,” Jaiswal said during the weekly media briefing.
He also said that several members of the Indian diaspora and persons of Indian origin are among those reported missing following the floods.
Jaiswal said India has been extending assistance to Nepal since the disaster struck, based on requests received from the Nepalese government. The assistance has included relief material and specialised rescue teams.
India had sent a 54-member team to Nepal, comprising 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic experts and a five-member medical team. While some members have returned, others continue to assist with ongoing operations.
An Indian Air Force flight carrying 11 tonnes of relief supplies reached Kathmandu on Saturday and handed over the material to the Government of Nepal.
With the latest flight, India has dispatched nine special flights carrying relief material, equipment and expert personnel to Nepal since the floods struck on August 26.
The Nepalese government is currently assessing the situation, the MEA spokesperson said.
-Ians
