Australia deploys drone team to Nepal to trace 38 missing citizens

Australia is ramping up its response to the devastating floods in Nepal, where 38 of its citizens remain unaccounted for. Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced on Thursday that a specialist team of drone operators will be deployed in the coming days to assist local authorities with the search.

The contingent will use advanced drone technology, including mapping and thermal imaging capabilities, to support Nepal's ongoing rescue operations. Wong stated that the deployment follows repeated offers of assistance from Canberra, adding that Australia stands ready to provide further search, rescue, and recovery aid if required.

In addition to the aerial support, the Australian government will share telecommunication data with Nepali authorities. This information could help narrow down the last known locations of the missing individuals. According to Wong, most of the unaccounted-for Australians were last traced to the Gyirong and Syabrubesi areas, where search teams are already active.

Nepali army personnel are conducting ground searches in several locations identified by Australia, including the Hotel Kailash and Hotel Royal Himalaya, with helicopter and drone support. Wong acknowledged the extreme difficulty of the operation, citing destroyed infrastructure, patchy communications, and inaccessible terrain.

"We continue to work around the clock to ascertain as much information as we can and provide it to the families of missing Australians," Wong said, expressing empathy for the loved ones enduring an agonising wait for news.