Australian Found Alive 6 Days After Nepal-Tibet Floods

After six agonizing days of waiting, an Australian family finally heard the words they'd been praying for: their loved one was alive.

The survivor was found in Tibet, one of 43 Australians reported missing after devastating floods hit the Nepal-China border region. The person has already spoken with family members and is getting help from Australian consular officers.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong acknowledged the overwhelming relief the family must feel. "It's hard to imagine the sense of relief their loved ones must be feeling after what will have been an incredibly harrowing few days," she said Tuesday.

The discovery came as another piece of welcome news. Over the weekend, another Australian, Cara Severino, was safely located in Nepal, bringing fresh hope to other families still waiting for word.

The Bright Side

Even as rescue teams face the grim reality that the crucial first 72 hours have passed, these two recoveries prove that survivors can still be found. Rescue workers continue battling through mud, rock, and debris in hard-to-reach mountain areas, refusing to give up on the more than 4,400 people still missing.

Australia is stepping up to help in a big way. The government announced it's boosting humanitarian assistance for Nepal to $8 million, focusing on urgently needed supplies like hygiene kits and solar lights.

Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlewaite explained why these items matter so much. "Obviously all of the power and telecommunications infrastructure has been wiped out," he said. The Australian Defence Force will transport these life-saving supplies in the coming days.

China's Foreign Ministry confirmed the Australian found in Tibet wasn't in the disaster's epicenter and has been in contact with the Australian Embassy. Chinese authorities said they're working hard to find all missing people, both Chinese and foreign nationals.

Minister Wong remained cautiously hopeful while acknowledging the difficult reality ahead. "As each day passes, our grave concerns for those still unaccounted-for inevitably grow," she said, urging families and the public to stay realistic about the challenges rescue teams face.

Two families reunited is two reasons to keep hoping.