‘We can only pray’: Family of missing Malaysian in Nepal tragedy anxiously awaits news

Fire and rescue personnel conduct search and rescue operations 2 kilometres from Gyirong Port days after the August 26 mudslide which destroyed the port, in Gyirong County, in China’s western Tibet region August 29, 2026. Mures, 40, said his father K. Balasingam’s journey to perform a religious ceremony on Mount Kailash, Tibet turned into a terrifying nightmare for the family after he was last seen active on the WhatsApp application on the morning of the incident. — CNS/AFP pic

First Published: Saturday, 29 Aug 2026 5:30 PM MYT

Last Modified: Saturday, 29 Aug 2026 5:31 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — “Only prayer and patience can strengthen our spirits,” lamented Mures, the eldest son of senior citizen K. Balasingam, 71, who has yet to be contacted following the flash flood disaster on the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday.

Mures, 40, said his father’s journey to perform a religious ceremony on Mount Kailash, Tibet turned into a terrifying nightmare for the family after he was last seen active on the WhatsApp application on the morning of the incident.

“My father alone joined a group with 16 other Malaysians to Mount Kailash in Tibet, China to perform a religious ceremony.

“He arrived there on August 23 and was supposed to return to Malaysia on September 6 but until now our family has not received any information about him after the incident,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Describing his father’s personality, Mures described the former businessman in the transport sector who hails from Negeri Sembilan as someone who is very active in leisure and religious activities despite his age.

He said the family had contacted various parties to obtain the latest information including the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu and the police.

“So far we are still patient and do not know how long we will have to wait for developments regarding my father.

“We also received information from a member of the group who is in Nepal but until now there is no latest news. We continue to pray that my father is safe,” he said.

Balasingam was among 17 Malaysians in a group managed by Nepal-based travel agency Fishtail Tours & Travels.

The Foreign Ministry today said 55 Malaysians were still unreachable following the devastating flash floods and landslides in Rasuwa District, Nepal, on Wednesday. — Bernama