Nepal-Tibet disaster: Nine missing Singaporeans named in Nepali authorities' list

Nepali authorities have released the names of the nine Singaporeans reported missing, after floods hit its border with Tibet on Wednesday. The nine were listed among tourists who are uncontactable. Among them are 53-year-old Sumit Rawla and his 49-year-old wife, Shu-bak-shi Raw-la. They were travelling with tour operator Himalayan Glacier. Most of the missing members of their tour group had been staying at Hotel Kai-lash, near the Nepal-China border. The list includes seven other Singaporeans, aged between 40 and 66. Four travelled with a Leaf Holidays group and two with The Trekkers' Society. Another is believed to be travelling without a tour group. With search and rescue operations underway, Nepal's Non-Resident Ambassador to Singapore says identifying recovered bodies remains difficult. Some may require DNA testing. The Nepalese Society in Singapore says it has been working closely with the community here, to provide accurate information on the disaster. It says seven in 10 posts online can be deemed unreliable. They include AI-generated videos on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. It says damaged internet and communications infrastructure in the affected area is contributing to the spread of misinformation. The Singapore Red Cross will open its office on Sunday to further support those still seeking information about loved ones who remain uncontactable. Singapore will contribute S$127,000 as seed money for a public fundraiser in aid of Nepal. So far, the Singapore Red Cross has collected about S$170,000 from the public out of its target of S$1 million.