SEVENTY-TWO Malaysians in Tibet, China, have been confirmed safe following devastating floods and landslides in Nepal, but 91 others across Nepal and China remain uncontactable.
Wisma Putra said its consular response had been expanded to cover Malaysians affected by travel disruptions on the Chinese side of the border, in addition to those in Nepal.
The ministry said the 72 Malaysians in Darchen, in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, were safe and in good health.
The Embassy of Malaysia in Beijing remains in contact with the group, while their families have been informed of their status.
The embassy is also assisting with arrangements for the group to leave the region.
Separately, Wisma Putra said it had received reports from Chinese authorities and family members concerning 36 additional Malaysians who were currently uncontactable in areas affected by telecommunications disruptions.
The ministry said it was working with Chinese authorities and the families to re-establish contact, while cross-checking the cases against reports of missing Malaysians in Nepal to prevent double-counting as verification continues.
In Nepal, 55 Malaysians remain reported as uncontactable, down from the earlier figure after two additional citizens were confirmed to have been contacted.
The Embassy of Malaysia in Kathmandu is coordinating with Nepal’s Emergency Response Team, the Nepal Tourism Board, travel agencies and local authorities to trace those who remain unreachable.
Taken together, the figures mean 91 Malaysians linked to the disaster remain uncontactable across Nepal and China, although verification of the cases is still ongoing.
Search and rescue operations in Nepal are continuing, while authorities are also monitoring the risk of further water surges originating from the Tibet Autonomous Region.
As of 5pm Nepal time on Aug 28, equivalent to 7.15pm Malaysian time, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that 771 people had been rescued, including 116 foreign nationals.
Based on the official list available at that stage, no Malaysian had been identified among the foreign nationals rescued.
Nepal Police separately raised the confirmed death toll from the disaster to 616 in a bulletin issued Saturday morning, with nearly 1,924 people still listed as missing nationwide.
The figures underline the scale of the disaster, which was triggered by a glacial lake outburst and flash flood that tore through the Bhote Koshi river valley on Aug 26.
Wisma Putra’s Operations Room in Putrajaya has been operating around the clock since Aug 27 to coordinate information and provide assistance to affected Malaysians and their families.
Those with relevant information can contact the ministry at +603 8887 4570 or email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
The ministry again urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information while efforts to confirm the safety and whereabouts of the Malaysians continue. - August 29, 2026
