Australia deploys drone specialists to Nepal as 38 citizens remain missing
Australia is sending drone operators to Nepal to aid flood rescue efforts, with 38 Australians still unaccounted for.
Australia will deploy a team of specialist drone operators to Nepal to assist in search and rescue operations following last week's catastrophic floods, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' summit in Palau, Albanese confirmed that 38 Australians remain unaccounted for in the wake of the disaster. The new deployment, which includes members of Fire and Rescue New South Wales and the Queensland Fire Department, will depart in the coming days as part of a 15-person disaster assistance response team.
This latest contingent adds to the 19 Australian personnel already dispatched to Nepal since the August 26 disaster. An Australian air force jet has previously delivered shelter, water, sanitation, and healthcare supplies to the affected region.
The Australian government has also pledged an additional A$3 million (US$2.1 million) in humanitarian assistance, matching public donations. This brings Australia's total humanitarian package to approximately A$11 million (US$8 million).
Officials confirmed that Nepal had specifically requested drone support, and Australia remains prepared to offer further search, rescue, and recovery assistance as required.