Malaysia sought expanded Nepal search for 55 missing citizens, limited by access

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 27 — Malaysia initially pushed for an expanded search and rescue operation covering a broader area of Nepal to locate 55 Malaysian citizens who have been uncontactable, a family representative disclosed on Monday.

The spokesman said Malaysian authorities sought to widen the geographical scope of the search efforts, but faced limitations in accessing certain regions that could have aided in locating the missing individuals.

The constraints on the operation have raised concerns among relatives of those unaccounted for, who are eager to determine the whereabouts and condition of the missing citizens. Details surrounding the exact nature of the access restrictions remain unclear.

Malaysian officials have been coordinating with Nepalese authorities to locate the citizens, who lost contact under circumstances that have not been fully disclosed. The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced in conducting cross-border search operations in challenging terrain.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry indicated that Malaysia continues to work with local authorities to resolve the situation and ensure the safety of its nationals.