Key Takeaways:

• Mapya Dudhkoshi-6 ward office wrote to Chinese Embassy seeking help
• Missing Nepalis were near Kerung Immigration Office on Chinese side when flood struck
• Families say they had not yet entered Nepal, leaving no official records
• Request asks China to check immigration, rescue, hospital and unidentified body records

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 1 Some Nepalis missing after the Bhotekoshi flood may not appear on Nepal's official missing-person list because they had not entered the country when the disaster struck, prompting a local government office in Solukhumbu to seek help from China. The Ward Office of Mapya Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality-6, Waku, has written to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu requesting assistance in tracing Nepali citizens who went missing in the Kerung–Rasuwa area following the devastating flood on August 27. According to the letter, the missing individuals were reportedly in or around the Kerung Immigration Office and related areas on the Chinese side while completing documentation to enter Nepal when the flood struck. Their families informed the ward office that they had not yet entered Nepal, leaving no corresponding entry records in Nepal's immigration system. The ward office requested the Chinese Embassy to check immigration records, hospital admissions, rescue lists and unidentified body records maintained by Chinese authorities. It also asked: 'If necessary, kindly coordinate with the relevant Chinese immigration authorities, local administration, police, and rescue/health authorities to assist in the search and identification process. As the families of the missing persons are currently in an extremely painful and uncertain situation, we sincerely request Your Excellency to make every possible effort, on humanitarian grounds, to coordinate with the relevant Chinese authorities at the earliest possible opportunity and facilitate the provision of any information regarding their current status.' The ward office said documents and information regarding the missing persons-including names, addresses, photographs, citizenship/passport details, and family contact information-were enclosed with the application. Among those listed missing are: Gokul Budhathoki Magar, Prem Budhathoki Magar, Kumar Budhathoki Magar, Bal Kumar Merangchi Magar. The ward office emphasized that any information received from Chinese authorities would be of immense importance to families desperately waiting for news of their loved ones.