Michael Keats confirmed as the first Australian killed in the Nepal flood disaster
The NSW man is the first Australian confirmed to have been killed in Nepal’s flash flood disaster.
NSW man Michael Keats has become the first Australian confirmed to have been lost their lives in Nepal’s flash flood disaster.
He was traveling to India for a spiritual retreat, according to his heartbroken family, which is now asking for support.
His partner Emily Boyd posted a grim update to her gofundme, confirming the worst on Monday evening.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“My partner, Michael, was tragically killed in the devastating floods in Nepal,” Ms Boyd posted.
“Michael was my partner and an incredibly important part of our family. He was also my young son’s stepfather, although he was the only father he has ever known. His loss has changed everything for both of us.”
On her crowdfunding post Ms Boyd said she was asking for funds to travel to India with the couple’s son to engage in a spiritual ritual to honour the South Coast man.
“There’s a bittersweetness knowing that there was nothing more that Mike wanted (than) to know God, and to merge with the divine,” Ms Boyd posted to Instagram.
“He was a mystic, a medicine man, a teacher, leader, partner, father, brother, son, uncle and dearly beloved friend.”
Ms Boyd said on her Instagram that at the time of the disaster Mr Keats was making a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a journey which had been his “dream for many years”.
The tragic update brings the number of Australians still missing in Nepal’s flash flood disaster to 42, just hours after it rose to 43 on Monday.
The majority of the missing Australians were reportedly travelling with Kailash Journeys, Himalayan Glacier Adventures and the Isha Foundation.
Sydney woman Cara Severino, 25, is no longer included among the missing Australians after making contact with her parents, two days after she was reported missing.
Australia has sent a 12-person response team to Nepal and pledged millions in aid, including hygiene kits and solar lights to be delivered by the defence force later in the week.
Among the Australians still missing are four members of the Iyer family, Sreedharan, Lakshmi and their sons, Rudra and Rishabh.
Rishabh’s partner, Sarada Vishwanathan, said the family were upset, disappointed and very scared.
“The main thing we want now is to try and get the Australian government to go over there, send their troops over to find our people,” Ms Vishwanathan told Nine’s Today program on Monday.
“It’s been five days now, and we know that the critical window of survival is getting slimmer and slimmer as the days pass. And we just have no answers.”
