‘How do I not crumble’: from Australia, Akash and his brother wait for news of their parents in Nepal
For now the psychology student and his 17-year-old brother are just trying to keep going as their parents would want
TL;DR
- Akash Venkatraman is anxiously awaiting news of his parents, who went missing after a glacial collapse caused flash floods and landslides in Nepal.
- A group of 38 Australians are reported missing after the disaster, many of whom were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.
- Families in Australia are organizing their own search efforts, monitoring websites, contacting embassies, and using social media to find information.
- There is a call for increased Australian government military and humanitarian support in Nepal.
- The Gyirong Port area, a potential route for the missing, has been opened, but access for some search teams remains restricted.
- Temporary burial sites have been set up, and authorities are collecting DNA samples to aid in the identification of victims.
- Anxiety is palpable in Kathmandu as hospitals fill up and families tirelessly search for information about their loved ones.