Families of foreign pilgrims who vanished in the devastating mudslide on the Tibet‑Nepal border are demanding clearer answers from Beijing. The tragedy, which struck a border crossing last week, left more than 1,300 dead and thousands missing on both sides of the frontier.

Missing loved ones and an information blackout

Priyanka Choudhary, an Indian‑born Finnish citizen, was among the travelers caught in the disaster. Ten days later, she remains one of 261 foreign nationals still unaccounted for. Her brother, Tarun, told reporters there is “no information on the China side” and that families cannot travel to China to speak with officials.

Other families echo the same frustration. Naresh Goyal, brother of British national Neetu Goyal Tiwari, said his sister’s status is unknown and that UK police have already collected a DNA sample from her daughter for Chinese authorities.

China’s response

China’s foreign ministry says it has held briefings for embassies of 23 countries and describes its communication about the floods as “transparent and timely.” The government also says it is ready to cooperate with other nations and has dispatched a team of DNA identification experts to Nepal, the country bearing the brunt of the disaster.

In Nepal, police and local officials regularly post updates on missing and deceased victims, and DNA testing is already part of the search effort. Chinese diplomats were invited to a briefing in Beijing last week, but attendees reported that no concrete plan for DNA identification was shared.

Requests for video and facial‑recognition data

Families and diplomats note that China has not offered video footage from its side of the land port, nor facial‑recognition images that could help confirm identities. Those materials could be crucial for relatives trying to determine whether their loved ones survived.

One source, who asked to remain unnamed for safety, said the lack of visual evidence makes it difficult for families to find closure.

International cooperation needed

Given the cross‑border nature of the disaster, experts say coordinated efforts between Chinese, Nepalese and foreign officials are essential. DNA testing, video sharing, and transparent briefings could speed identification and bring some certainty to grieving families.

As the search continues, families remain hopeful that Beijing will lift the information blackout and work more openly with the international community.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.