Around 30 Jews, Including Two Israelis, Missing After Nepal Disaster

Approximately 30 Jewish individuals, including at least two Israeli citizens, are currently unaccounted for following catastrophic floods and landslides in Nepal that have claimed over 1,000 lives and left thousands more missing. The disaster, triggered by what appeared to be a glacial lake outburst flood along the Nepal-China border, has devastated entire villages, bridges, and communication infrastructure, severely hampering rescue efforts.

Chabad emissaries in Nepal have shifted their focus from holiday preparations for the upcoming Rosh Hashanah to an emergency rescue operation. They are coordinating aerial rescue teams and responding to anxious family members worldwide from a command center in Kathmandu. The emissaries are working against time to identify bodies and prevent them from being buried in mass graves, a practice being carried out by Nepalese authorities due to the high death toll and fears of disease outbreaks.

"The bodies are in a difficult condition, we are trying to ensure a proper burial for every Jew," stated Chabad representatives, emphasizing the challenge of identifying remains recovered from the mud. Despite the immense destruction and near-impassable terrain, search efforts, including aerial sweeps, continue in the hope of finding survivors amidst the devastation.