Five Australians found safe after Nepal-Tibet border floods, 38 still missing

A total of five Australians missing after devastating floods ravaged the Nepal-Tibet border last week have been found.

Of the five Australians confirmed safe, one was found in Nepal, one in Tibet, and three outside the crisis-hit area. The total number still missing is 38.

These Australians had not spoken to families and next of kin since the disaster struck seven days ago.

There were “grave concerns” for the dozens of citizens still missing in the disaster, the minister for multicultural affairs, Anne Aly, told the ABC on Wednesday morning.

“There are real logistic issues, including communications to find out where people are,” she said.

“For those families that are still waiting, those 38 individuals unaccounted for, we understand that it’s a really concerning time, and we’ll continue to do what we can to try and locate those people.”

Earlier, the minister for the Pacific, Pat Conroy, told Radio National the government was “focused on establishing their whereabouts and supporting their families”.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) has received nearly 800 calls in relation to the floods, with 18 Australian personnel having travelled to Nepal to join staff on the ground.

More humanitarian and disaster relief from Australia was due to arrive in Nepal on Wednesday afternoon.

Another Australian, 25-year-old Cara Severino, was safely located last week.

After an Australian in Tibet made contact with family and Dfat yesterday, the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said the government was “incredibly thankful”.

“It’s hard to imagine the sense of relief their loved ones must be feeling after what will have been an incredibly harrowing few days.”

The death toll from the ⁠unprecedented deluge of ice, rock, mud ​and debris on Wednesday last week has risen to 939 people, with 16 more dead reported in Tibet.

More than 4,400 people are missing.

Wong said the government needed to “remain realistic” about the days ahead.

“Communications remain difficult, infrastructure has been destroyed and many areas are still difficult to reach,” she said.

“As each day passes, our grave concerns for those still unaccounted for inevitably grow.

“Our thoughts remain firmly with all those waiting for news of family and friends, and with the search and rescue teams working in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.”

Australia has sent a $8m assistance package for affected communities on the border between Nepal and the Chinese region of Tibet.

Nepal has deployed nearly 20,000 security personnel to support search and rescue, and Chinese state media has reported that 2,141 emergency personnel have been deployed.