Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Families Urge Rubio to Expand Search for Missing Nepal Relatives
Severe flash floods struck northern and central Nepal on August 26.
Many people are still missing, including Americans and travelers from other countries.
Families wrote to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for help.
They said they had not been told about American search teams, aircraft, or consular officers in the area.
They asked for aircraft, satellite images, search teams, and better communication tools.
They also asked the United States to work with Nepal, China, and other countries.
Most of the missing people were traveling toward Mount Kailash.
Nepal’s reported death toll reached 1,282 while searches continued for more than 4,700 missing people.
At least 90 US nationals were reported unaccounted for after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.
Families and friends signed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio dated August 29.
The letter represented 57 missing people: 31 Americans and 26 people of other nationalities.
Most missing people were traveling to Mount Kailash through Nepal’s Rasuwa district toward Tibet.
Families requested aircraft, search equipment, satellite analysis, emergency connectivity, consular coordination, and more rescue funding.
- Who
- Families and friends of 57 missing travelers, including 31 Americans, wrote to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; at least 90 US nationals were reported unaccounted for.
- What
- They requested expanded international rescue and search operations to locate missing relatives after catastrophic flash floods.
- When
- The floods occurred on August 26; the letter was dated August 29, and the report was published on September 4.
- Where
- Northern and central Nepal, particularly the route through Rasuwa district toward Tibet at Gyirong.
- Why
- Families said they wanted all missing people found and sought greater US involvement, equipment, coordination, and information.
- Reported US nationals unaccounted for
- At least 90
- Letter signatories’ missing people
- 57 people: 31 Americans and 26 people of other nationalities
- Flood date
- August 26
- Letter date
- August 29
- Reported Nepal death toll
- 1,282
- People still missing in Nepal
- More than 4,700
- Requested assistance
- High-altitude aircraft, search equipment, satellite imagery, Starlink connectivity, urban search teams, consular coordination, and additional funding
