5 days ago
Tamil Nadu Intensifies Rescue Efforts for Missing Nepal Pilgrims
A group of 106 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry traveled to Nepal.
Floodwaters struck the second bus in their three-bus convoy.
Twenty people on that bus were rescued, although one report gave the number as 21.
The rescued pilgrims were taken to a police camp for shelter and medical help.
Officials are still trying to find 86 other pilgrims.
These include 83 people from Tamil Nadu and three from Puducherry.
Four ministers have gone to New Delhi to work with national officials.
Another official team is going to Nepal to help with rescue and relief.
Families are asking authorities to bring their missing relatives home safely.
A total of 106 Tamil Nadu and Puducherry pilgrims traveled to Nepal for the Manasarovar Yatra.
Twenty pilgrims were rescued after floodwaters struck their bus; one report said the number was 21.
Authorities are seeking 86 pilgrims, including 83 from Tamil Nadu and three from Puducherry.
Four Tamil Nadu ministers were sent to New Delhi to coordinate with the Union government.
Tamil Nadu’s Resident Commissioner Ashish Kumar will lead a team to Nepal for rescue and relief work.
- Who
- The pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the Tamil Nadu government, four state ministers, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Embassy in Nepal.
- What
- Authorities are conducting rescue, relief, medical-assistance, and repatriation efforts after floods affected the pilgrims’ convoy.
- Where
- The flooding affected areas near Nepal’s border with Tibet, including Rasuwa, Timure, and Syabrubesi; coordination is taking place in New Delhi and Kathmandu.
- When
- The situation was discussed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday, when four ministers were deputed to New Delhi.
- Why
- To locate 86 unaccounted-for pilgrims, assist those rescued, and arrange their safe return.
Government Response
Opposition and Families
Rescue coordination
Government Response
The Tamil Nadu government says it has sent four ministers to New Delhi, assigned a team to Nepal, and is coordinating with the Union government, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Embassy in Nepal.
Opposition and Families
Opposition leaders sought details on the number of people stranded and rescued, the measures being taken to trace them, and whether a special officer had been appointed.
Support for survivors
Government Response
The government says rescued pilgrims are receiving shelter and medical assistance and that it will arrange their safe return home.
Opposition and Families
Relatives of missing pilgrims have urged authorities to speed up rescue efforts and ensure their loved ones return safely.
Key facts
- Total pilgrims
- 106 people from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry traveled to Nepal for the Manasarovar Yatra.
- Rescued pilgrims
- Tamil Nadu said 20 people were rescued; the Ministry of External Affairs reportedly put the figure at 21.
- Unaccounted pilgrims
- Authorities are seeking 86 people: 83 from Tamil Nadu and three from Puducherry.
- Affected bus
- The second vehicle in a convoy of three was struck by floodwaters.
- Rescue location
- The rescued pilgrims were taken to an Armed Police Force or reserve police camp in Timure.
- Ministerial deployment
- Four Tamil Nadu ministers were sent to New Delhi to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
- Official Nepal team
- Resident Commissioner Ashish Kumar will lead a Tamil Nadu team to Nepal.
Quotes
Raj Mohan
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister
“We will expedite the process and bring back everyone, including the retired High Court judge. The rescued pilgrims would be traumatised. We will provide all medical and emergency care. We have taken the responsibility of bringing them home.”
NDTV
Sources
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