Australian hiker found safe after Nepal floods; 41 countrymates still missing
Cara Severino, a 26-year-old from Sydney, has broken her silence after being rescued from catastrophic flooding in Nepal, describing her gratitude for the cr...
Cara Severino, a 26-year-old from Sydney, has broken her silence after being rescued from catastrophic flooding in Nepal, describing her gratitude for the crew members who helped her survive and praising the speed of Australian diplomatic intervention.
Severino went missing during the disaster but made contact with her parents on Friday. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed Saturday that consular officials had located and retrieved her from Nepal, marking a rare rescue success amid the broader humanitarian crisis gripping the nation.
A narrow escape in the mountains
The Australian was hiking in a national park when the floods struck. She credits four companions—Sudha, Lucas, Samir, and Saugat—with enabling her safe exit from the danger zone. In a statement released by her family and the Australian government, Severino reflected on the ordeal with measured emotion rather than dramatics.
"I'm so grateful for the crew we formed on that first day when we entered the national park on the tractor," she said. The bond forged in those opening hours under threat became the lifeline that carried her through.
Diplomatic rescue amid chaos
Australia's embassy staff maintained regular contact with Severino after she managed initial contact with family. Officials coordinated her safe passage from the disaster zone back to Kathmandu, where she was being transported for further assistance. Wong characterized the rescue as "a rare piece of positive news amid a disaster that has brought immense loss and uncertainty."
Yet Severino's recovery remains the exception. At least 41 Australians remain unaccounted for as search operations race against deteriorating conditions and dwindling hope. Her successful extraction underscores both the capacity of coordinated government response and the scale of the tragedy unfolding across Nepal.
In her statement, Severino acknowledged the broader suffering. "I feel for the families of those still missing," she said. "Blessed to be from Australia and have the embassy and Australian government giving so much support."
