As many as 403 Indian nationals safely crossed into Nepal from China on Sunday, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The ministry confirmed that 500 Indians are still in China and safe, but did not provide updates on the missing individuals.
Search and Rescue Operations
On Saturday, the MEA reported that 275 Indian nationals and another 128 people of Indian origin, mostly Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims, remained missing. On Sunday, the MEA shared a list of 149 people who were rescued. Additionally, a 19-member specialized forensics team from India began its work in Kathmandu to assist in the analysis of DNA samples for the identification of the mortal remains of victims.
“"This team will help augment the analysis of DNA samples in Nepal for identification of the mortal remains of the victims," the MEA stated.
Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, met with the forensics team and discussed their efforts with counterparts at the Nepal Police’s Central Forensic Science Lab and the Forensics Department of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
Tunnel Rescue Operations
The MEA also provided an update on the Tunnel Rescue Operations Team, which continued its work alongside the Nepali Army at hydropower sites in Chilime and Langtang. The team successfully entered a tunnel near the Langtang hydroelectric project and retrieved the mortal remains of one person despite inclement weather.
