SUBANG: The search for 55 Malaysians, who remain uncontactable in Nepal, will be a priority task for an 11-member Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) deployed to the country.
The team, comprising a commander and 10 personnel with specialised skills, departed alongside 31 Royal Malaysian Air Force personnel onboard an RMAF A400M Atlas aircraft at 9am yesterday. They arrived at about 2pm local time.
Their mission in Nepal is expected to span up to 10 days.
National Disaster Management Agency director-general Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim said the operation would focus on finding the Malaysians, particularly in areas where they were last known to be.
“But that does not necessarily mean we only help Malaysians. Our main focus is our people, but whoever we encounter, we will rescue.
“We are there to help. We do not differentiate between victims,” he said after the team was formally sent off.
He said the exact area of operation would be determined upon the team’s arrival.
Initial information indicated that the team could be deployed to a tunnel area.
“Upon arrival, they will receive briefings from the Malaysian representative and their Nepalese counterparts,” he said.
To support the search and rescue mission, Meor Ismail said the team had brought 12.4 tonnes of equipment, including communication systems, high-capacity drones and specialised equipment for tunnel rescue operations.
“Our team is multi-skilled, with expertise in search and rescue, drone operations, logistics, communications and technical support,” he said.
Deadly massive flash floods and mudslide hit the Nepal-China border on Aug 26.
As of Sept 4, 55 Malaysians remained uncontactable.
SMART commander Senior Fire and Rescue Officer 1 Abdul Manaf Che Isa said the team would attend a briefing session on arrival in Kathmandu before heading to the designated location based on the situation and operational requirements.
“The SMART’s mission is very clear, this is a humanitarian mission,” he said.
