SA government still in the dark on six citizens unaccounted for in Nepal

The heartbreak continues for families still waiting for answers after the devastating floods and landslides in Nepal.

The South African government says it still has not received confirmation from authorities in Nepal or China/Tibet about the whereabout of the six South African nationals who remain unaccounted for.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed that six South Africans remain missing for following a deadly landslide along the Nepal-China border last month, wit the disaster reportedly equivalent to a 5.2-magnitude earthquake.

The disaster has left a trail of destruction, claiming the lives of nearly 1,400 people, while more than 5,500 others remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could climb even higher.

Among those still unaccounted for are more than 800 foreign nationals from at least 34 countries.

DIRCO says it is working through diplomatic channels to establish the whereabouts of the missing South Africans and assist their families.

“In response to a formal request from the Nepalese government, DIRCO has arranged with the South African Police Service (SAPS), specifically the Victim Identification Centre under the Division: Detectives and Forensic Services, for the collection and coordination of DNA profiles from the biological relatives of the missing individuals. The DNA profiles have been sent to the police in Nepal and to Interpol in Kathmandu.”

The government says South African diplomatic missions in New Delhi, India, and Beijing, China, are also liaising with their respective host countries to coordinate the response to the disaster.

More than 13,600 people have been rescued from the floods, while 364 bodies have been recovered.

The United Nations chief in Nepal, Lila Pieters Yahia, has appealed for urgent international aid.

The Tadi bridge in Devighat was one of the 100 bridges destroyed by the Bhotekoshi floods.

The @NepaliArmyHQ is installing up a Bailey bridge in its place. RC Lila Pieters Yahia was there on Saturday as work began. Once it’s across, Devighat & Jiling are connected again. pic.twitter.com/iahFlyztlH

— United Nations in Nepal (@UN_Nepal) September 10, 2026

People across the globe have taken to social media to share their reactions to the devastation caused by the floods and landslides in Nepal.

A horrific scene of severe flooding at the Rasuwagadhi border point on the Nepal-Tibet border.
The strong currents wreaked havoc across the area, leaving 400 pilgrims and 105 Indian tourists also missing in the Nepal floods.#NepalFloods #Nepal #Rasuwa #FlashFlood #Floods pic.twitter.com/dwAX12Gj7l

— Ravi Pandey🇮🇳 (@ravipandey2643) August 26, 2026

Nepal flood destroyed
everything 💔😭 pic.twitter.com/Xhrxuu0EHb

— Esegbona Luis (@esegbonaluis) September 2, 2026

New footage of this week’s flooding in Nepal. pic.twitter.com/MAgr4u2w74

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) August 28, 2026

New videos of the flash flooding in Nepal

This is incredibly sad…

Cars, buildings, bridges, lives…all taken out in an instant 😬 pic.twitter.com/4CIq80fxX5

— Paul Robertson 🇺🇸 (@ShadeSalvo) September 9, 2026

🇨🇳🇳🇵 Update on what happened in Nepal

– 19 bridges and 40 km of roads swept away.
– 13 hydroelectric projects in the region damaged.
– More than 200 trucks swept away
– The number of victims is not yet available.
– India and China have offered assistance.
– The government of…

— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) August 26, 2026