- The Isha Foundation reported that 10 Toronto residents are among 80 members still missing after flash floods in Nepal, according to Leslie Crespi, a U.S.-based community liaison.
- The group lost contact after arriving at a Chinese immigration centre in Gyirong County, Tibet; the flash flooding hit at 9:14 a.m. on Wednesday, shortly after the trek co-ordinator contacted the foundation at 9:07 a.m.
- Global Affairs Canada reported on Thursday that it was aware of about 30 missing Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Nepal and Tibet, a number that may fluctuate as new information comes in.
- Global Affairs Canada is working urgently to establish contact with the missing, reaching out to travel agencies, local authorities, and likeminded countries, and is deploying five consular officials to Kathmandu.
- The group, which includes people from 19 countries, was returning from the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet.
- Nepali community leaders in Mississauga held an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss tracking down missing loved ones and plan to ask the Canadian government to help rescue the unaccounted-for individuals.
- GlobalMedic, a disaster relief charity based in Etobicoke, has offered to deploy water purification units, family emergency kits, and drones to Nepal to assist those affected.
- Crespi described the news as devastating and incredibly unexpected, noting the magnitude of the flood is hard to comprehend, and that the missing are like family to the foundation.
- Toronto's Nepalese & Tibetan communities rally together following deadly flash floods in their homeland.
- Community leaders and business owners are calling for desperately needed aid, as reported by Afua Baah.
Flash floods near the Tibet border have left 10 Toronto residents among 80 members of the Isha Foundation missing. The group was returning from the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage, when the disaster struck shortly after their arrival at a Chinese immigration center in Gyirong County, Tibet.
Leslie Crespi, a U.S.-based community liaison for the Isha Foundation, reported that the group contacted the foundation at 9:07 a.m. on Wednesday, just before the flooding hit at 9:14 a.m. Since then, there has been no communication with the missing individuals. Crespi expressed the emotional toll, stating, “It’s devastating news; it’s very, very hard to believe.”
Global Affairs Canada is aware of approximately 30 missing Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Nepal and Tibet. They are deploying five consular officials to Kathmandu to assist in the search and coordinate with local authorities. A spokesperson noted, “Given the extremely difficult circumstances on the ground, this number will fluctuate as new information comes in.”
In response to the crisis, Nepali community leaders in Mississauga held an emergency meeting to discuss efforts to locate their missing loved ones. One leader remarked, “Everybody is in panic mode.” Meanwhile, GlobalMedic, a disaster relief charity, has offered to deploy resources to assist those affected by the floods.
The Isha Foundation group included individuals from 19 countries, highlighting the international impact of this tragedy.
“The group, including people from 19 countries, was returning from the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra when the flood hit at 9:14 a.m. Wednesday, minutes after the trek co-ordinator contacted the foundation. Global Affairs Canada says about 30 Canadian citizens and permanent residents are missing, and GlobalMedic has offered water purification units and drones.”
