Israeli Rescue Team Deploys to Nepal to Search for Missing Israeli After Devastating Floods

A specialized Israeli rescue team from Unit Harel 669, consisting of about eight rescuers, is set to depart for Nepal to assist in the search for a missing Israeli man in his 60s. The man disappeared in the Rasuwa area near the Nepal-China border following severe floods and mudslides that have devastated the region. The Israeli was traveling with a group of foreign tourists when contact was lost due to the extreme weather conditions.

The rescue operation faces significant challenges due to damaged infrastructure, blocked access routes, and difficult mountainous terrain. The team plans to combine ground searches with drone surveillance and other technological tools. They are maintaining continuous communication with the missing man’s family, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and local authorities.

The floods in Nepal have resulted in at least 353 deaths and over 1,300 people reported missing, including hundreds of foreign tourists from various countries. The disaster was triggered by a massive collapse of ice and rock in the Himalayas, which created a powerful surge of water, mud, and debris that swept through populated areas, destroying roads, bridges, and hydroelectric projects. Authorities are also monitoring the risk of further floods caused by blocked or newly formed lakes.

The missing Israeli and his group were reportedly hiking near sacred sites such as Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, which are important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus and Buddhists. Rescue efforts continue amid concerns for the safety of hundreds of tourists stranded or missing in the affected areas.