Death toll in flood disaster exceeds 600: Turkish citizen among those missing in Nepal

The death toll continues to rise in the flood disaster that occurred in Nepal on August 26, when a glacier broke off from the Himalayas and caused flooding in the Bhotekoshi River.

According to the latest data released by Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the number of people who lost their lives in the disaster has risen to at least 626.

Authorities announced that 4,451 people, including 129 foreign nationals, have been rescued. Meanwhile, it was stated that contact has not yet been established with a total of 2,426 people, 517 of whom are foreign nationals.

SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the regions affected by the disaster. While it was reported that 15,224 personnel are participating in the efforts, authorities continue their work to address the damage caused by the flood.

TURKISH CITIZEN AMONG THE MISSING

It has been learned that a Turkish citizen is among those reported missing following the flood disaster. Elena Öksüz, who worked as a tour guide and is also a Russian citizen, has not been heard from since August 26.

It was stated that Öksüz traveled from Lithuania to Nepal and was working as a tour guide in the region. Selçuk Eracun, Chairman of the Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Guides, said that Öksüz had entered Nepal via Tibet on August 8 and was organizing tours there with a group from different countries.

Eracun stated that it is known that Öksüz left the hotel where she was staying on August 26, the day the flood disaster occurred, saying, "Elena Öksüz is in this region and has been entering Nepal from Tibet since August 8. They were conducting their tours there by meeting with a mixed group from the West in the Nepal region. We know that Elena left the hotel with this event on the 26th."

ENTERED NEPAL WITH A RUSSIAN PASSPORT

It was reported that Öksüz used her Russian passport to enter Nepal, and therefore the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not aware of the situation.

Eracun stated that Öksüz has dual citizenship and used her Russian passport to benefit from visa exemptions. It was noted that the Istanbul Chamber of Guides, where Öksüz is registered, has also contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the missing person report.

WORKED AS AN INTERPRETER IN THE EARTHQUAKE ZONE

It was also learned that Elena Öksüz had gone to Adıyaman following the February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş to work as an interpreter for search and rescue teams.

News Source: 12punto