Dozens of Australians missing after ‘catastrophic’ flood as officials urgently work to confirm welfare

Foreign affairs minister says government will send a $5m assistance package for affected communities Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Dozens of Australians remain missing two days after a deadly flash flood tore through valleys on the Nepal-Tibet border, obliterating towns and killing more than 400 people. A major search-and-rescue mission has been mounted by Nepal’s government, army and police, but roads and bridges have been washed away, access to helicopters is limited and weather conditions are poor. The foreign minister, Penny Wong, said on Friday morning 39 Australians were missing, an increase from 35 on Thursday evening. As of Friday evening, 38 Australians were missing after one woman made contact with her family. The total was updated to 41 on Saturday morning. Anthony Albanese said Australia was sending crisis and humanitarian response specialists to help in the aftermath. “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those affected as we urgently work to confirm the welfare of missing Australians,” the prime minister said. “People would have seen the footage, which is a truly horrific event. At this point, Nepal is a developing country. It