Nepal Disaster: 9 Rescued Alive as Death Toll Rises to 1,300

Nepal’s government updated today (Sunday) that nine people who were trapped in buildings during the deadly flooding that struck the country’s north 10 days ago were rescued alive. Eight of those rescued were workers trapped in a tunnel at a hydroelectric site, while the ninth was a 64-year-old resident of one of the villages, trapped in her home after it was buried beneath a landslide of trees and mud.

At the same time, the government announced that 244 bodies had been recovered from various sites. This brings the death toll to 1,300. In addition, about 5,008 people remain missing, including some 900 workers employed at work sites and power stations across the affected areas. The workers rescued managed to take shelter in a tunnel that protected them from the flooding, but its entrance was covered by mud and stones, and rescuers had to break through to reach them.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem announced that Israel had sent essential equipment and aid to Nepal through the national aid agency MASHAV, in accordance with needs identified by Nepal’s government, with the aim of supporting relief and recovery efforts.

The Israeli Embassy team in Nepal arrived at the disaster area and delivered the equipment directly to residents of an affected village. The supplies included blankets, medical equipment, dry food, first-aid kits, fans, mattresses, and pillows. Israel is in close contact with local authorities and is prepared to help in any way possible.