Around 30 Israelis Missing After Devastating Nepal Landslide

Approximately 30 Israeli Jews are among the missing and unaccounted for following a catastrophic landslide in Nepal, which occurred on August 26th. The disaster, triggered by the collapse of a massive glacier on the border between Nepal and China, caused a devastating avalanche of snow and rocks that dammed a nearby river. When the natural dam burst, an unprecedented surge of water, mud, and debris swept through the region, destroying villages and infrastructure.

Chabad emissaries in Nepal, Rabbi Chezky and Chani Lipshitz, have shifted their focus from preparing for the upcoming Jewish High Holidays to establishing an emergency command post. Their efforts are concentrated on locating the missing, providing aid, and contacting worried families. They are also working to ensure that any Jewish victims are given a proper Jewish burial amidst the chaos and destroyed infrastructure.

The disaster has claimed over 1,000 lives and left more than 4,400 people missing. The immense destruction of infrastructure, including dozens of suspension bridges, has severely hampered rescue operations and communication. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed an additional Israeli citizen, Katerina Sakovitz, 41, from Milan, is missing. Her sister is traveling to Nepal to assist in the search.

Scientific reports indicate that the glacier had shown prior signs of instability, with melting water and widening cracks observed days before the collapse. Experts suggest that more comprehensive early warning systems could have saved lives. Amidst the tragedy, there have been remarkable rescue stories, including a six-year-old girl found alive after being trapped under mud for two days.