Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Australia Sends Drone Specialists to Nepal Search for Missing Citizens
Severe floods struck Nepal after a glacier collapsed on August 26.
More than 1,200 people have died, and about 5,000 people are still missing.
Australia is sending a team to help search for survivors.
The team has 15 members, mostly people who operate special drones.
The drones can look over large areas and enter places rescuers may not be able to reach.
Seven Australian police specialists will also help identify victims.
Australia says 36 of its citizens are still missing, although two people were recently found safe.
Nepal asked other countries for specialized technical help, and rescue workers are continuing their search.
A 15-member Australian Disaster Assistance Response Team has left for Nepal to support flood search efforts.
The team is predominantly made up of state emergency-services drone pilots equipped for wide-area and confined-space searches.
Seven Australian Federal Police disaster victim identification specialists are due to arrive on Saturday.
Australian authorities say 36 citizens remain missing, while two others were confirmed safe overnight.
The floods killed more than 1,200 people and left about 5,000 missing after a glacier collapse on August 26.
- Who
- A 15-member Australian Disaster Assistance Response Team, seven Australian Federal Police specialists, Nepali authorities, and people missing after the floods.
- What
- Australia deployed drone operators and disaster victim identification specialists to help Nepal search for survivors and missing people.
- When
- The floods began after a glacier collapse on August 26; the Australian team left on Friday, September 4, and police specialists were due Saturday.
- Where
- Nepal, including areas along its border with China.
- Why
- Nepal requested international specialized and technical assistance, while Australia remains concerned about 36 missing citizens.
- Australian response team
- 15 members, predominantly drone pilots from state emergency services.
- Additional specialists
- Seven Australian Federal Police disaster victim identification specialists were due to arrive on Saturday.
- Australian citizens missing
- 36 remained unaccounted for after two were confirmed safe overnight.
- Overall deaths
- More than 1,200 people were confirmed dead.
- Overall missing
- About 5,000 people remained missing, including 583 foreign nationals according to Nepal’s government.
- Triggering event
- A glacier collapse on August 26 triggered the floods.
- Existing Australian personnel
- Nineteen Australians were already in Nepal, including consular officers, humanitarian police, and defence and police personnel.