PETALING JAYA: One of the Malaysians unaccounted for following the devastating floods in Nepal has been confirmed safe and has returned to Malaysia, says the group representing families of Malaysians still missing in the disaster.
An embassy official, when contacted, confirmed the matter.
“Further details can be sought from Wisma Putra,” said the official.
Malaysia Solidarity: Families in Hope (Masfih) spokesman Manivannan Rethinam said the individual had reported to the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu.
Manivannan said the discovery of a Malaysian who was found safe 37 days after the massive floods was a meaningful development for Masfih and the other affected families.
“We are thankful that one of the Malaysians who was previously unaccounted for has returned to the family,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said the individual, a Chinese Malaysian, was among the solo travellers reported missing following the floods.
Manivannan said he had also personally contacted the individual’s next-of-kin, who confirmed the person’s safe return.
“We were informed that the person was at Nagthali Viewpoint at 3.26pm on Aug 25, one day before the devastating floods.
“Based on information provided by the next-of-kin, the person was temporarily stranded after roads and bridges in the area were destroyed, while electricity and water supplies were disrupted.”
Manivannan said the development was not merely about reducing the number of missing Malaysians from 55 to 54.
“It is about a family being reunited with their loved one after 37 days of uncertainty,” he said.
He added that Masfih was also awaiting an engagement with the Attorney General’s Chambers and Bank Negara.
“We are also still awaiting the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister in person.
“These requests are not just to express our concerns, but to gain a better understanding of the steps moving forward for the next-of-kin, developments over the past 38 days, as well as matters requiring further attention and action at the highest levels of government,” he said.
On Aug 26, devastating flash floods struck the Nepal-China border, killing more than 1,400 people to date, while thousands more remain missing.
According to an analysis by the United States Geological Survey, the collapse of a Himalayan glacier was believed to have triggered the incident, generating energy equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake.
