Ten Toronto residents who were part of a group trekking in Nepal are currently unaccounted for following a tragic flash flood incident in the region. Leslie Crespi, a representative of the Isha Foundation in North America, disclosed to CBC News Network that these ten individuals are among a larger group of 80 members from the foundation who are still missing. Out of the 80 missing individuals, 12 were Canadian citizens, as confirmed by Crespi.
Crespi mentioned that there has been a lack of communication with the group since the trek coordinator contacted the Isha Foundation after the group reached a Chinese immigration center in Gyirong County, Tibet, just before the flash flooding occurred in that area. Despite efforts to reach out and stay updated through various channels, there has been no direct contact with the individuals involved.
The group, comprising participants from 19 different countries, was returning from the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage, a revered journey to Mount Kailash in Tibet with deep spiritual significance for followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon traditions. Families of the missing group members are deeply distressed by the situation, with Crespi expressing the profound impact of the unexpected disaster on the foundation’s close-knit community.
In response to the crisis, Nepali community leaders convened an emergency meeting in Mississauga to strategize on locating their missing loved ones. They intend to seek assistance from the Canadian government in the search and rescue efforts for those who are currently unaccounted for, as the community grapples with heightened anxiety exacerbated by distressing social media videos.
Global Affairs Canada issued an update acknowledging approximately 30 missing Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Nepal and Tibet. The department emphasized the dynamic nature of the situation and the ongoing efforts to establish contact with the missing individuals to ensure their safety. Consular officials are actively engaging with relevant parties to gather essential information and provide necessary support, with plans to deploy additional resources as required.
Furthermore, GlobalMedic, a disaster relief organization based in Etobicoke, has offered to deploy essential resources such as point-of-source water purification units, family emergency kits, and drones to assist in the relief efforts in Nepal. These resources are crucial for providing clean drinking water, hygiene essentials, and mapping out the extent of the disaster to facilitate effective search and rescue operations and aid distribution.